New Delhi: Amid reports of slowing down of disengagement process along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh, India and China on Friday held yet another round of talks under the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on India-China border affairs.
In the meeting it was decided that senior commanders of both countries will meet soon to speed up the disengagement and de-escalation process.
“The two sides agreed that another meeting of the Senior Commanders may be held soon so as to work out further steps to ensure expeditiously complete disengagement and de-escalation and restoration of peace and tranquillity in the border areas,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.
The two sides reviewed the situation in the border areas and the ongoing disengagement process along the Line of Actual Control (LAC )in the Western Sector.
It was the 17th Meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on India-China Border Affairs.
They agreed that early and complete disengagement of the troops along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and de-escalation from India-China border areas in accordance with bilateral agreement and protocols and full restoration of peace and tranquillity was essential for smooth overall development of bilateral relations.
The two sides noted that this was in accordance with the agreement reached between the two Special Representatives (SRs) during their telephonic conversation on July 5.
They agreed in this regard that it was necessary for both sides to sincerely implement the understandings reached between Senior Commanders in their meetings till date, it added.
They also agreed to maintain their ongoing engagements both at the diplomatic and military level, including through the meetings of WMCC
The Indian delegation was led by Joint Secretary (East Asia) from the Ministry of External Affairs, while the Director General of the Boundary & Oceanic Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs led the Chinese delegation.
