In a positive development regarding the ongoing border dispute between Indian and Chinese troops along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh, India announced on Thursday that both sides engaged in a “frank, constructive, and forward-looking” discussion in Beijing to address the situation. The goal of the discussion was to reduce differences and reach a prompt resolution to the outstanding issues. The Ministry of External Affairs also announced that both countries agreed to increase communication through diplomatic and military channels. Using the term “narrow down the differences” in the talks suggests progress in the negotiations.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that the 31st meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) was held on 29 August in Beijing. Gourangalal Das, Joint Secretary (East Asia) from the Ministry of External Affairs, led the Indian delegation, while Hong Liang, Director General of the Boundary and Ocean Affairs Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, led the Chinese delegation.
“In line with the guidance provided by two Foreign Ministers’ meetings in Astana and Vientiane in July 2024 to accelerate their discussion, and building on the WMCC meeting held last month, the two sides had a frank, constructive and forward-looking exchange of views on the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) to narrow down the differences and find early resolution of the outstanding issues. For this, they further agreed for intensified contact through diplomatic and military channels,” MEA statement said.
After the WMCC meeting in July, the MEA said both sides agreed to “maintain the momentum” through established diplomatic and military channels. This time, “intensified contact” has been underlined, suggesting a sense of urgency in the negotiations.
The MEA statement said, “In the meantime, they decided to jointly uphold peace and tranquillity on the ground in border areas in accordance with relevant bilateral agreements, protocols and understandings reached between the two Governments. It was reiterated that restoration of peace and tranquillity and respect for LAC are the essential basis for restoration of normalcy in bilateral relations.”
The MEA said the leader of the Indian delegation also called on the Vice Minister in the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The July meeting of the WMCC took place in New Delhi. Typically, Corps Commander-level discussions occur between two WMCC meetings. However, this did not happen this time, suggesting that diplomatic efforts are currently prioritized over military talks.
There are ongoing friction points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, mainly including longstanding issues in areas like the Depsang Plains and Demchok. The most recent formal disengagement along the LAC occurred in September 2022, when both sides withdrew troops to disengage from Patrolling Point-15 in the Gogra-Hot Springs area of eastern Ladakh. Friction points such as Galwan Valley, the north and south banks of Pangong Tso, and the Gogra-Hot Springs area have witnessed some resolution since the beginning of the standoff, with the establishment of buffer zones along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Each side has deployed approximately 50,000-60,000 troops along the LAC in eastern Ladakh.
Team BharatShakti
