Engaged with China to resolve border issue peacefully: India on Trump's offer to mediate

India on Wednesday said it was engaged with China to resolve the border row while reacting to US President Donald Trump's offer to mediate between the two countries to settle the festering dispute.

"We are engaged with the Chinese side to peacefully resolve it," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said, replying to a question at an online media briefing.

Trump on Wednesday offered to arbitrate the raging border dispute between India and China, adding he was willing to ease the tensions.

Trump said this in an early morning tweet that came amid the continuing standoff between the militaries of the two neighbours.

"We have informed both India and China that the United States is ready, willing and able to mediate or arbitrate their now raging border dispute. Thank you!" Trump posted.

Also read | Trump offers to 'mediate or arbitrate' between India and China

The nearly 3,500-km-long Line of Actual Control (LAC) is the de-facto border between India and China.

Several areas along the LAC in Ladakh and North Sikkim have witnessed major military build-up by both the Indian and Chinese armies recently.

But on Wednesday, China took an apparently conciliatory tone by saying that the situation at the border with India is "overall stable and controllable," and both the countries have proper mechanisms and communication channels to resolve the issues through a dialogue and consultation.

The Ministry of External Affairs then said all Indian activities were carried out on its side of the border, asserting that India has always taken a very responsible approach towards border management.