New Delhi, December 6. India and China reviewed the situation in border areas following the most recent agreement border conflict resolution during the 32nd meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on India-China Border Affairs held here.
The Indian delegation was led by Gourangalal Das, Joint Secretary (East Asia), and the Chinese delegation was led by Hong Liang, Director General of the Boundary & Oceanic Affairs Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“Both sides reviewed the situation in border areas, and reflected on the lessons learnt from the events of 2020 in order to prevent their recurrence,” a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs following the meeting on Thursday reads. “In this context, they highlighted the importance of regular exchanges and contacts at diplomatic and military level through established mechanisms. They agreed on the need for effective border management and maintenance of peace and tranquility in accordance with relevant bilateral agreements, protocols and understandings reached between the two Governments.”
The Ministry further stated that the two sides positively affirmed the implementation of the most recent disengagement agreement which completed the resolution of the issues that emerged in 2020.
Earlier this week, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar made a statement in both houses of Parliament elaborating on the government’s position on maintaining ties with China following the agreement reached in October between New Delhi and Beijing to resolve the border issue in eastern Ladakh.
Jaishankar said that that October 21 agreement is the latest in the series of understandings in regard to the resolution of the situation at various friction points in eastern Ladakh following the border conflict in May-June 2020, and the initial disengagement in Galwan Valley in July 2020.
He added that India expects discussions on remaining issues to begin soon, underlining three key principles: respecting the Line of Actual Control (LAC), refraining from altering the status quo unilaterally, and honouring previous agreements in full.
Jaishankar’s remarks came weeks after the Indian and Chinese militaries concluded troop disengagement at the last standoff points in eastern Ladakh, marking the end of a four-year face-off. He noted that the focus now shifts to de-escalation, which involves addressing the troop buildup along the LAC, and strengthening border management based on recent experiences.
He stated that India expects discussions on remaining issues to begin soon, underlining three key principles: respecting the LAC, refraining from altering the status quo unilaterally, and honouring previous agreements in full.
