China cancels Indian journalists' trip amid Sikkim standoff

Beijing: Amid rising tensions over their border row, China has cancelled the upcoming visit by a group of Indian journalists to Tibet.

Both Indian Army and Chinese Army are in standoff for almost a month. The time interval of standoff is the longest such deadlock between the two armies since 1962.

"I looked forward to visiting Tibet. But two days ago I was told by the Chinese embassy that the trip has been cancelled," Vijay Naik, Convenor of the Indian Association of Foreign Affairs Correspondents said.

Also read: India deploys more troops in Doka La in longest deadlock since 1962

"Perhaps, it is because of the recent tension. They would have thought let things cool down first," Naik added.

The duration of the trip was from July 8 to 15.

Like Naik, journalists from other India media houses were invited. It was not known if the trip for journalists from Nepal was on.

Last year, Indian and Nepali journalists were taken to the Tibetan capital Lhasa, Chengdu in Sichuan and other places besides Beijing.

Tension has risen between India and China over the current standoff between their armies in Doklam (Donglong) in the Sikkim sector.

The region at the tri-junction of Bhutan, China and India is a disputed territory between Thimpu and Beijing.

India troops reportedly stopped the Chinese from building a road in the area since its ownership is yet to be decided. China calls the area its own, a claim which Bhutan contests.

In a bid to strengthen its position near Sikkim border, India has sent more Indian Army jawans to the sensitive Doka La area.