Leh/New Delhi: Ahead of President Xi Jinping's visit, Chinese civilians in government vehicles have entered Indian territory in Demchok in Ladakh and are preventing locals from working on an irrigation project there.

The Indian government sought to downplay the reports while maintaining that the boundary question would be discussed with the Chinese side. "This is true that for the last one week, China is objecting and protesting against the work on an irrigation project in Demchok village which is close to the Line of Actual Control along with China border," Leh Deputy Commissioner Simrandeep Singh said.