China confirmed Thursday a group of Indian nationals had been detained on smuggling charges.

"Chinese police detained some Indians suspected of smuggling," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Jiang Yu told a regular press briefing on Thursday.

Jiang made the comments when asked to confirm whether the police in south China's Shenzhen city had detained 21 Indian diamond traders.

"The Indian Embassy in China has dispatched officials to see them," Jiang said, without giving the number of detainees or their identities.

Saying the case was being considered, Jiang said she believed the legitimate rights of those involved would be protected.