The Indian government said on Wednesday that China has proposed that there should be a hotline between the Chinese Premier and the the Prime Minister of India to maintain regular contacts at the highest level.

"The Chinese side has proposed that there should be a hotline between the Chinese Premier and the PM of India to maintain regular contacts at the highest level," External Affairs Minister S M Krishna told the Lok Sabha.

In a written reply, he said the two countries are in the process of discussing the technical and other modalities. A hotline between India and Russia is currently operational, Krishna informed.