India-China constructive dialogues mark 30th WMCC meeting on India-China Border Affairs

New Delhi, July 31: The 30th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on India-China Border Affairs took place in New Delhi on Wednesday. The Indian delegation was led by Gourangalal Das, Joint Secretary (East Asia) from the Ministry of External Affairs, while Hong Liang, Director General of the Boundary & Oceanic Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, led the Chinese delegation, MEA Press release said.

Building on recent discussions between the two Foreign Ministers in Astana and Vientiane, the delegations reviewed the current situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with the aim of resolving outstanding issues promptly.

Both sides emphasized that the restoration of peace and tranquility, as well as respect for the LAC, are crucial for normalizing bilateral relations. They agreed on the necessity to jointly uphold peace and tranquility in the border areas, adhering to relevant bilateral agreements, protocols, and understandings reached between their governments.

The meeting's discussions were described as in-depth, constructive, and forward-looking. Both parties committed to maintaining momentum through established diplomatic and military channels. Additionally, the leader of the Chinese delegation paid a visit to the Indian Foreign Secretary Ambassador Misri who was earlier the Indian ambassador in China.

During an official tour to Laos on July 25, Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar met with Chinese Politburo member and prominent diplomat Wang Yi. Both leaders attended the Foreign Ministers' Meetings under the ASEAN framework, including sessions of the ASEAN-India, East Asia Summit (EAS), and ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).

Jaishankar shared on X (formerly Twitter), "Met with CPC Politburo member and FM Wang Yi in Vientiane today. Continued our ongoing discussions about our bilateral relationship. The state of the border will necessarily be reflected in the state of our ties. Agreed on the need to give strong guidance to complete the disengagement process. Must ensure full respect for the LAC and past agreements. It is in our mutual interest to stabilize our ties. We should approach the immediate issues with a sense of purpose and urgency."

The history of India-China relations has been marked by tension and periodic engagement, especially following the border clash in Ladakh in 2020. Since then, numerous high-level talks have aimed at de-escalating tensions and managing the border situation. These efforts include Corps Commander-level talks, diplomatic engagements at the BRICS summit, and bilateral meetings at international forums. Despite these discussions, the border remains a sensitive issue, with both nations maintaining a significant military presence along the LAC.

The ongoing tensions have led to a series of military and diplomatic talks, yet the situation remains delicate. Both countries have held around 25 rounds of Corps Commander-level talks and 30 rounds of meetings under the WMCC on India-China Border Affairs since 2020.

Despite the ongoing tensions, economic ties between India and China have persisted. India has taken measures to reduce its economic dependence on China, such as banning several Chinese apps and increasing scrutiny of Chinese investments. Nevertheless, China remains one of India's largest trading partners. In FY 2024, bilateral trade between the two countries totalled $118.4 billion, with imports from China at $101.7 billion and exports from India to China at $16.67 billion.