Both sides review LAC situation and push for gradual normalisation of bilateral ties
India and China held what the Ministry of External Affairs described as “constructive” and “forward-looking” discussions on the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, signalling continued efforts by both countries to stabilise ties after years of military tensions.
The talks took place during a meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) in Beijing on Wednesday, where officials from both sides reviewed developments in the border areas and discussed steps aimed at preserving peace and stability along the frontier.
According to the MEA, both countries expressed satisfaction over the progress made in maintaining peace and tranquillity in border regions, noting that stability along the LAC has helped facilitate the gradual normalisation of overall bilateral relations.
The discussions come after more than four years of tensions triggered by the deadly Galwan Valley clashes in 2020, which severely strained relations between New Delhi and Beijing and led to an extended military standoff across multiple friction points in eastern Ladakh.
India and China have since engaged in sustained diplomatic and military negotiations to disengage troops and reduce tensions in the region.
The MEA said the two sides also agreed to undertake “substantive preparation” for the next round of Special Representatives-level talks, which are scheduled to take place in China.
The Indian delegation at the WMCC meeting was led by Sujit Ghosh, Joint Secretary (East Asia) in the MEA, while the Chinese delegation was headed by Hou Yanqi, Director General of the Boundary and Oceanic Affairs Department of the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
The talks also covered issues related to border management, delimitation mechanisms and cross-border cooperation.
India additionally stressed the need for an early meeting of the expert-level mechanism concerning trans-border rivers, reflecting broader concerns regarding water-sharing and regional coordination.
Both countries agreed to maintain regular diplomatic and military-level communication through established mechanisms aimed at preventing escalation and managing differences peacefully.
The latest meeting is part of a broader push by both sides to reset ties following disengagement agreements reached in recent years, including the October 2024 pact covering Depsang and Demchok — the final two major friction points in eastern Ladakh.
Diplomatic engagement between the two Asian powers has also intensified at the leadership level.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks in Kazan after the disengagement agreement and later met again on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Tianjin.
During those discussions, Modi reiterated that India remains committed to advancing ties with China based on mutual trust, mutual respect and sensitivity to each other’s concerns.
The latest WMCC talks indicate that while deep strategic mistrust persists, both countries are attempting to prevent border tensions from derailing broader diplomatic and economic engagement.
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