NEW DELHI, India — India and China held diplomatic talks in New Delhi on Thursday to review the overall situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), with discussions covering boundary delimitation, border management and trans-border cooperation. The talks were held under the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC), according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
- India and China reviewed the overall situation along the LAC.
- Talks covered boundary delimitation, border management and trans-border cooperation.
- Both sides stressed the importance of maintaining peace and tranquillity in border areas.
- The discussions followed the outcomes of the latest Special Representatives talks.
India-China talks focus on LAC situation
The diplomatic engagement took place in New Delhi as part of the WMCC framework, which provides a mechanism for consultations between the two countries on border affairs.
The Indian delegation was led by Sujit Ghosh, Joint Secretary (East Asia) in the Ministry of External Affairs. China’s delegation was headed by Hou Yanqi, Director General of the Boundary and Oceanic Affairs Department at the Chinese foreign ministry.
According to the MEA, the two sides held frank discussions during the meeting and reviewed developments along the LAC. The discussions also covered broader issues concerning the management of the India-China border.
Peace and tranquillity remain central to bilateral ties
During the discussions, both countries maintained that peace and tranquillity in the border areas are essential for the overall development of bilateral relations.
The emphasis on maintaining stability in border areas comes as India and China continue to use established diplomatic mechanisms to discuss boundary-related matters.
Talks follow Special Representatives meeting
The latest WMCC discussions followed the outcomes of the previous round of talks between the Special Representatives of India and China.
Following those discussions, the Ministry of External Affairs had reiterated India’s position on an early meeting of the expert-level mechanism dealing with trans-border rivers.
India also stressed the importance of sharing technical details concerning upstream projects, according to the information provided by the MEA.
Who led the two delegations?
| Country | Representative | Position |
|---|---|---|
| India | Sujit Ghosh | Joint Secretary (East Asia), Ministry of External Affairs |
| China | Hou Yanqi | Director General, Boundary and Oceanic Affairs Department, Chinese foreign ministry |
What happens next?
The latest meeting keeps the established diplomatic channel between India and China engaged on border-related issues. The discussions covered the LAC, border management, boundary delimitation and trans-border cooperation, while the two sides reiterated the importance of peace and tranquillity in border areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the WMCC between India and China?
The Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) is the framework under which the latest diplomatic discussions on border affairs were held.
What issues did India and China discuss in the latest talks?
The discussions covered the situation along the LAC, boundary delimitation, border management and trans-border cooperation. The talks also followed up on issues arising from the latest Special Representatives discussions, including India’s position on trans-border rivers.
Source Attribution
This report is based solely on the source material provided, including information attributed to the Ministry of External Affairs.
