India and China have agreed to continue discussions to resolve the remaining issues along the LAC

India and China on Friday held the 25th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on borders.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the two sides reviewed the situation along the Line of Actual Control in the western sector of India-China border. The last WMCC meeting was held in May 2022.

Recalling the developments since that WMCC meeting, the two sides welcomed disengagement in the area of Gogra-Hot Springs (PP-15) that was carried out in a phased, coordinated and verified manner between September 8-12, 2022, the MEA said.

As per the Ministry, officials of India and China at the meeting noted that these steps reflected the understandings between the External Affairs Minister and the Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister, including at their recent meeting in Bali in July 2022.

The two sides agreed to continue discussions through diplomatic and military channels to resolve the remaining issues along the LAC at the earliest so as to create conditions for restoration of normalcy in bilateral relations.

To achieve the objective of resolution of remaining issues along the LAC in the western sector in accordance with the existing bilateral agreements and protocols, they agreed to hold the next (17th) round of the Senior Commanders meeting at an early date.

At the WMCC meet, India was represented by the Joint Secretary (East Asia) from the Ministry of External Affairs, while China was led by the Director General of the Boundary & Oceanic Department of the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.