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SRINAGAR, India (AP) — Indian and Chinese soldiers brawled last week along the countries' disputed border, Indian officials said Monday, as a monthslong standoff between the nuclear-armed rivals continued.
The clash in the Naku La area of Sikkim came four days before the countries held a ninth round of talks on Sunday on ending tensions in another disputed border area in the remote Ladakh region.
The Indian army described the clash at Naku La as “a minor face off” and said it “was resolved by local commanders as per established protocols.”
An army statement did not provide any other details, but asked media “to refrain from overplaying or exaggerating” the incident.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said he did not have information to provide on the incident but urged India “not to take any unilateral action that may further complicate or exacerbate the border tension.”