NEW DELHI, Dec 5: India and China have expressed satisfaction with the progress of the disengagement agreement at the 32nd meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) held on Thursday in New Delhi.
Both sides reviewed the current situation along the border, emphasizing the lessons learned from past tensions following the Galwan Valley clashes in the eastern Ladakh region near the India-China border on June 15, 2020.
Indian soldiers had displayed immense bravery in the face of violent Chinese encroachment bids. A confrontation between Chinese forces and India forces resulted in the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers while at least 38 Chinese People’s Liberation Army soldiers also died in the clashes.
However in October 2024, military and diplomatic talks led to an agreement on patrolling along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in India-China border areas, facilitating disengagement and resolution of issues that arose in 2020.
“The two sides positively affirmed the implementation of the most recent disengagement agreement which completed the resolution of the issues that emerged in 2020. They also prepared for the next meeting of the Special Representatives, which is to be held in accordance with the decision of the two leaders in their meeting in Kazan on 23 October 2024,” a press release by the External Affairs Ministry released Thursday said.
It said the Indian delegation was led by Gourangalal Das, Joint Secretary for East Asia, while the Chinese side was headed by Hong Liang, Director General of the Boundary & Oceanic Affairs Department.
“Both sides reviewed the situation in border areas, and reflected on the lessons learnt from the events of 2020 in order to prevent their recurrence. In this context, they highlighted the importance of regular exchanges and contacts at diplomatic and military level through established mechanisms. They agreed on the need for effective border management and maintenance of peace & tranquillity in accordance with relevant bilateral agreements, protocols and understandings reached between the two Governments,” the release further added.
It said Hong Liang also met with India’s Foreign Secretary during his visit to Delhi for talks.
(Manas Dasgupta)