India, China air forces to set up "direct contact" to prevent flare ups

India and China are planning to establish "direct contact" between their air forces to prevent any possible flare-up amid the ongoing heightened activity along their border.

The direct contact mechanism could be through a separate hotline between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the People's Liberation Army-Air Force (PLAAF) or by using the existing hotline between the two armies in the eastern Ladakh region, The Times of India reported.

The "proposal" was discussed during the special military dialogue between the two countries at the Chushul-Moldo border meeting point last week, during which, India raised the recent airspace violations and breach of confidence-building measures by the Chinese air force in the eastern Ladakh region close to the border, the report added.

India and China have been caught in a border stand-off since May 2020 with no significant breakthrough, despite several rounds of military and diplomatic talks.