Chinese and Indian troops injured after clashing in disputed border area

Chinese and Indian troops have reportedly clashed again in a disputed border area, with injuries on both sides, Indian media reports say.

The clash reportedly took place in north Sikkim three days ago.

Tensions have been high between the two countries since a deadly clash in another disputed border area.

At least 20 Indian soldiers died in a skirmish in Galwan Valley, Ladakh, in June. China did not comment on reports it also suffered casualties.

The latest incident happened at the Naku La pass in Sikkim, the media reports, quoting Indian military officials, say.

A Chinese patrol tried to enter Indian territory and was forced back, the officials said. There has been no direct comment from India or China so far.

The Sikkim region is sandwiched between Bhutan and Nepal.

India and China share the longest disputed border in the world and the two sides both claim large areas of territory from the other.

Since the deadly hand-to-hand fighting in Ladakh last year, the two sides have held de-escalation talks – the latest of them between military commanders on Sunday.

Both countries have a lot to lose, with China one of India’s biggest trading partners.

The two countries have fought only one war, in 1962, when India suffered a heavy defeat.