NEW DELHI: Eight months after the Doklam standoff, state defenceminister subash Bhamre on Thursday said the situation along India’s borderwith China is “sensitive” and it has the potential to escalate, PTI hasreported.

“At the Line of Actual Control the situation is sensitive as incidents ofpatrolling, transgression and standoffs have a potential of escalation,” hesaid.

The nearly 4,000-km-long border between the two countries is referred to asLine of Actual Control (LAC).

“While confidence building measures are being enhanced, we shall continueto take all action deemed necessary to ensure sanctity of LAC,” theminister of state for defence said, addressing a seminar on the Armylink>’s contribution to nation building.

Troops of India and China were locked in a 73-day-long standoff in Doklamfrom June 16 last year after the Indian side stopped the building of a roadin the disputed area by the Chinese army. The face-off ended on August 28.

Sources said China has been keeping its troops in north Doklam andsignificantly ramping up its infrastructure in the disputed area.

In January, Army Chief General Bipin Rawatlink>had said the time had comefor India to shift its focus from borders with Pakistan to the frontierwith China, indicating that situation along it was worrying.

Talking about the regional security situation, Bhamre also talked aboutlikelihood of Pakistan becoming a “conduit” for spread of ISIS ideologiesto countries like India.

He also said that rising instability in India’s neighbourhood had increasedthe possibility of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction tonon-state actors.

“Today, we are facing a difficult neighbourhood with myriad securitychallenges. Ceasefire violation along the Line of Control continues totarget Army and civilians. Situation in hinterland in Jammu and Kashmirremains a challenge,” he said.

Bhamre also emphasised the need to effectively deal with “inimical threats”to the country and added that rise in religious fundamentalism and itsspread through social media remains a cause of concern.

“We need to continue with firm action to negate, mitigate and destroyelements inimical to our security,” he said.