New Delhi (NVI): After a gap of nearly 11 weeks, India and China today resumed diplomatic-level talks to resolve the border stand-off in Ladakh as diplomats from both sides held a virtual meeting under the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on Border Affairs (WMCC).
This was the 20th meeting of the WMCC where the two sides reviewed the developments along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the India-China border areas since the last round of the WMCC held on 30 September 2020.
During the meeting, the two sides agreed that based on the guidance provided by senior leaders and the agreements reached between the two Foreign Ministers and Special Representatives, they would continue to work towards ensuring complete disengagement in all friction points along the LAC in the Western Sector at the earliest, the Ministry of External Affairs said.
“The two sides noted that the 7th and 8th rounds of Senior Commanders meetings held on 12th October and 6 November 2020 respectively had in-depth discussions in this regard and that these discussions had also contributed to ensuring stability on the ground,” MEA said.
Both sides also agreed to maintain close consultations at the diplomatic and military level. “They agreed that the next (9th) round of Senior Commanders meeting should be held at an early date so that both sides can work towards early and complete disengagement of troops along the LAC in accordance with the existing bilateral agreements and protocols, and fully restore peace and tranquility,” the Ministry said in a statement.
Pertinent to mention here that thousands of troops have dug in on either side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in sub-zero conditions. The last WMCC meeting held on September 30 had failed to take forward the negotiations focussed on troop disengagement. The WMCC mechanism was set up in 2012.
India had yesterday called for further discussion with China to reach a “mutually acceptable solution” on complete disengagement at all friction points on the LAC.
“It is our expectation that the further discussions will help both sides to achieve an agreement on a mutually acceptable solution for ensuring complete disengagement in all friction points along the LAC in the Western sector and full restoration of peace and tranquility as early as possible,” MEA spokesman Anurag Srivastava said.
-ARK
