The 31st Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on India- China Border Affairs (WMCC) took place in Beijing yesterday. Delegates from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs met with the Chinese Ministry of Foreign affairs. This round of talks came less than a month after the 30th WMCC rounds were held in New Delhi on 31st July. This round of negotiations represents a renewed attempt at “narrow[ing] down differences” between the two countries concerning Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh.
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“Intensified Contact”
The Indian and Chinese troops have been engaged in a standoff over the LAC in Eastern Ladakh since May 2020. The (East Asian) Joint Secretary of the Indian MEA- Gourangalal Das and the Director General of Boundary and Ocean Affairs Department of the Chinese MFA- Hong Liang had a constructive and frank dialogue to decide the path to resolution of the contention.
The 30th and 31st WMCC meetings took place in quick succession without the typical round of Commander-Corps talks happening in between the two rounds. This signifies that the countries are currently relying on diplomatic exchanges instead of military talks to steer the negotiations.
The two delegates exchanged a “frank” and “forward-looking” conversation. The two nations have agreed to intensify contact through diplomatic and military means to “narrow down differences”, signifying zealous attempts at reaching a mutually-agreed upon settlement, stated the MEA.
This meeting came just when Russia confirmed that PM Narendra Modi is set to participate in the BRICS summit to be held in Kazan during October; this would allow PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping to exchange ideas on the sidelines of the summit.
Reverence for LAC the “essential basis” for amity
While the negotiations are being held between the neighboring countries, it has been agreed that all established protocols and bilateral agreements will be adhered to in order to preserve concord in the border regions.
The India MEA in its statement emphasized that revering the LAC and maintaining harmony there are “the essential basis” for ensuring cordiality in the bilateral relations. This marks a stark difference from the 30th WMCC Summit after which the MEA claimed that respecting the LAC and maintaining harmony in the region was “an essential basis” for harmony in bilateral relations; this marks India’s firm stance on the LAC.
Both China and India have deployed around 60,000 soldiers in the eastern Ladakh region. The last withdrawal from the area of contention took place in September of 2022 Patrolling-15 point in the Gogra Hot Springs. Since then, Pangong Tso and Galwan Valley have also witnessed the easing of friction. However, Demchok and Depsang Plains still appear to be areas of conflict. Though the nations have shown a sense of urgency in establishing an agreement, no headway has been made yet.
