India and China held “frank, constructive, and forward-looking” diplomatic talks on Thursday regarding the ongoing situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) to narrow down differences and work towards an early resolution of outstanding issues, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
The 31st meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on India-China Border Affairs took place in Beijing. During the meeting, both sides emphasized that restoring peace, tranquillity, and respect for the LAC are essential for normalizing bilateral relations.
The MEA highlighted that the discussions were guided by directions from the foreign ministers’ meetings held in Astana and Vientiane in July, which aimed to accelerate the resolution process. The delegations engaged in a “frank, constructive, and forward-looking” exchange of views on the situation along the LAC, agreeing to intensify contact through diplomatic and military channels.
The Indian delegation was led by Gourangalal Das, Joint Secretary (East Asia) from the MEA, while the Chinese side was represented by Hong Liang, Director General of the Boundary and Ocean Affairs Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Both sides agreed to uphold peace and tranquillity in the border areas, abiding by existing bilateral agreements and protocols.
The meeting comes amid ongoing efforts to resolve the standoff that began in May 2020, with both militaries disengaging from several friction points. However, a full resolution of the border row remains elusive, especially after the deadly clash in Galwan Valley in June 2020.
Following the meeting, China’s Foreign Ministry issued a readout, noting that the talks were conducted in a positive, friendly, and frank atmosphere. Both sides agreed to strengthen dialogue, address each other’s concerns, and seek a mutually acceptable solution as soon as possible.
The readout reiterated commitments to abide by border-related agreements and confidence-building measures, while also promoting an early resolution of the border situation based on recent consensus reached between the countries’ foreign ministers.
