India, China hold talks; agree to resolve remaining issues along LAC at the earliest
New Delhi, October 14
India and China on Friday held the 25th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) and reviewed the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Western Sector of India-China border areas.
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, stated a MEA press release.
Recalling the developments since the last meeting of WMCC in May, they welcomed the disengagement in the area of Gogra-Hot Springs (PP-15) that was carried out in a phased, coordinated and verified manner between September 8 and 12.
They noted that these steps reflected the understandings between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, including at their recent meeting in Bali in July.
The Indian delegation was led by the Joint Secretary (East Asia) from the Ministry of External Affairs. The Director-General of the Boundary & Oceanic Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs led the Chinese delegation.
