India's prime minister has promised a "fitting reply" to China following the death of 20 Indian army soldiers in violent clashes on the Himalayan border.

Both countries said they wanted peace but blamed each other after violence broke out between soldiers of the two sides with nail-studded clubs and stones on Monday night.

"We never provoke anyone," Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on national television, referring to the clashes.

"India wants peace but when provoked, it is capable of giving a fitting reply be it any kind of situation".

In Beijing, foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said the clash erupted after Indian soldiers "crossed the line, acted illegally, provoked and attacked the Chinese, resulting in both sides engaging in serious physical conflict and injury and death".

He said he did not know of any Chinese casualties, however, Indian media reported at least 45 people were dead or injured on the Chinese side.

Mr Zhao added that the overall situation at the border was stable and controllable and that China wanted peace.

"Both sides agree to resolve this matter through dialogue and consultation and make efforts to ease the situation and safeguard peace and tranquillity in the border area," he said.

The development marks a major escalation following a stand-off between the two sides in the western Himalayas lasting several weeks in the most violent confrontation in decades.

Neither side fired any shots in the fighting in the Ladakh region, but some officials said the soldiers were carrying anti-riot gear instead of weapons.

The fighting broke out during a meeting to discuss ways to de-escalate tensions, according to Indian government sources.

Many of the other Indian soldiers who died had succumbed to their wounds after being unable to survive the night in freezing temperatures.

Mr Modi said India would be proud that their soldiers died while fighting, saying "their sacrifices wouldn't go to waste".

India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh tweeted that the loss of soldiers in the Galwan Valley is "deeply disturbing and painful."

Since early May, hundreds of Indian and Chinese troops have been facing each other on the disputed border in the uninhabited, barren mountains of Ladakh.

India claims Chinese troops have intruded into its side of the Line of Actual Control or the de facto border.

China has rejected the allegation and has asked India not to build roads in the area, claiming it to be its territory.

Meanwhile, the United Nations urged both sides "to exercise maximum restraint" following the violence.

"We are concerned about reports of violence and deaths at the Line of Actual Control between India and China," UN associate spokesperson Eri Kaneko said.

"We take positive note of reports that the two countries have engaged to deescalate the situation."

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