India, China hold border talks in Delhi
New Delhi, Jul 24: India and China held the 34th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination (WMCC) on Border Affairs in New Delhi on Wednesday, marking another step in efforts to stabilise ties amid a delicate thaw in bilateral relations.
The Indian delegation was led by Gourangalal Das, Joint Secretary (East Asia), while the Chinese side was headed by Hong Liang, Director General of Boundary & Oceanic Affairs at the Chinese Foreign Ministry. Both sides reviewed the situation in the border areas and expressed satisfaction over the “general prevalence of peace and tranquillity,” according to a press release issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
The discussions reflected a cautious but steady improvement in ties, with both sides reaffirming the importance of regular diplomatic and military-level engagement under existing mechanisms. They discussed confidence-building measures previously explored during the 23rd round of Special Representatives’ (SR) Talks and the 33rd WMCC meeting. Preparations were also undertaken for the upcoming SR-level dialogue on the boundary question, to be hosted by India later this year.
The visit of the Chinese delegation also included a courtesy call on India’s Foreign Secretary. The meeting follows External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar’s just-concluded visit to Astana, Kazakhstan, for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers’ meeting. On the sidelines, Dr. Jaishankar held bilateral talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and met Chinese President Xi Jinping during an SCO leaders’ interaction.
During his meetings, Dr. Jaishankar emphasised the importance of respecting the Line of Actual Control (LAC), disengagement from remaining friction points, and restoring peace in border areas as essential for the full normalisation of ties. The latest round of WMCC talks suggests both sides are working toward cautious re-engagement, even as fundamental differences over the border issue persist.
