Chinese and Indian border troops conducted a joint disaster relief exercise on Monday. This Sino-Indian military drill is seen as an attempt by the two nations to resolve a long-festering border dispute.

The Sino-Indian dispute dates back to the brief border war of 1962.

While the leaders from both the countries pledged last May to settle their border dispute, a messy territorial disagreement remains.

The two nuclear-armed armies practiced handling scenarios like rescuing trapped herders on Saturday, according to a statement posted on China's Ministry of Defence website.

"The exercises are designed to implement the Chinese-India border cooperation agreement, to jointly safeguard peace and stability in these areas," said the defence ministry of China in their statement.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang agreed at a meeting in May to start annual visits between their militaries, expand exchanges between border commanders and start using a military hotline.

China lays claim to more than 90,000 sq km (35,000 sq miles) ruled by New Delhi in the eastern sector of the Himalayas. India says China occupies 38,000 sq km (14,600 sq miles) of its territory on the Aksai Chin plateau in the west.

India is also suspicious of China's support for its arch-rival, Pakistan.

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