India is attempting to extend its control over a disputed border area also claimed by China, experts said yesterday, in response to reports that New Delhi was deploying "thousands more troops" in parts of "Arunachal Pradesh".

Reuters quoted a "governor of the remote state" as saying India will deploy "two army divisions comprising 25,000 to 30,000 soldiers each".

"It (the deployment) was part of the planned augmentation of our capabilities to defend the country ... The increase in force strength is to meet the future national security challenge," J.J. Singh told Reuters.