India, China Hold Constructive LAC Talks, Reaffirm Border Peace Essential For Normalising Bilateral Relations
Both sides review eastern Ladakh situation, agree peace along LAC remains crucial for improving diplomatic ties
NEW DELHI, May 28: India and China held constructive and forward-looking discussions on the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, reaffirming that continued peace and stability in border areas are essential for the gradual normalisation of bilateral relations.
The talks took place during the latest meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on India-China border affairs held in Beijing on Wednesday.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said both countries reviewed the prevailing situation along the border and expressed satisfaction over efforts aimed at maintaining tranquillity in the region.
“The discussions were constructive and forward looking,” the MEA said, adding that stability in border areas has contributed positively to rebuilding overall ties between the two neighbours.
Relations between India and China had sharply deteriorated following the Galwan Valley clashes in 2020 and the prolonged military standoff in eastern Ladakh. Over the past year, however, both countries have initiated diplomatic and military measures to restore engagement and reduce tensions along the frontier.
During the WMCC meeting, the two sides also agreed to undertake substantive preparations for the next round of Special Representatives (SR) dialogue scheduled to be held in China.
The MEA said discussions covered border management, delimitation-related matters, institutional mechanisms and cross-border cooperation initiatives. India also emphasised the need for an early meeting of the expert-level mechanism on trans-border rivers.
“Both sides agreed to maintain regular exchanges and contacts at diplomatic and military levels through established mechanisms,” the statement added.
The Indian delegation was led by Sujit Ghosh, Joint Secretary (East Asia) in the MEA, while the Chinese side was headed by Hou Yanqi, Director General of the Boundary and Oceanic Affairs Department of the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
As part of the visit, Ghosh also met senior Chinese officials, including Liu Jinsong of the Department of Asian Affairs and Assistant Foreign Minister Hong Lei.
The latest round of dialogue comes amid sustained efforts by New Delhi and Beijing to stabilise relations after years of border tensions.
Following multiple rounds of military and diplomatic negotiations, both countries disengaged troops from several friction points in eastern Ladakh. In October 2024, India and China finalised disengagement arrangements for Depsang and Demchok, the remaining flashpoints in the region.
Soon after the agreement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Kazan and discussed measures aimed at improving bilateral engagement.
Later, during the SCO summit in Tianjin, the two leaders held extensive discussions where Prime Minister Modi reiterated India’s commitment to advancing ties with China based on mutual trust, mutual respect and mutual sensitivity.
