NEW DELHI: Tensions between India and China on Monday mounted again, after they accused each other of trying to seize territory across their disputed Himalayan border.

Accusations flew between the world's two most populous nations just two months after high-altitude hand-to-hand combat between their troops that left at least 20 Indian soldiers dead.

India accused China of seeking to cross their unofficial border in the Ladakh region late Saturday, while Beijing countered that Indian troops tried their own mission on Monday.

Both sides said they were determined to defend their territory. Hostility between the nuclear-armed neighbours is now at some of the highest levels since they fought a border war in 1962.

The two countries have sent tens of thousands of troops, backed by tanks and fighter jets, to the region since the brutal June 15 battle fought with wooden clubs and fists in which China suffered an undisclosed number of casualties.

A military accord between the two prohibits the use of firearms on the border.

Diplomatic and military talks since have made little apparent progress and their rancour became apparent in descriptions of the latest showdown.