Beijing, March 25 – India and China on Tuesday comprehensively reviewed the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and discussed the early resumption of cross-border cooperation, including trans-border rivers and the Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra. The discussions took place during the 33rd meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) in Beijing.
The Indian delegation was led by Gourangalal Das, Joint Secretary (East Asia) at the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), while Hong Liang, Director General of the Boundary and Oceanic Affairs Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, headed the Chinese delegation. The meeting was described as “positive” and “constructive” by the MEA.
“Peace and tranquility on the border are critical for the smooth development of overall bilateral relations. The two sides explored various measures and proposals to give effect to the decisions taken during the 23rd meeting of the Special Representatives on the India-China boundary question in Beijing in December 2024 and to advance effective border management,” stated an MEA release. Both sides also agreed to maintain and strengthen diplomatic and military mechanisms to ensure stability.
Discussions further covered the early resumption of cross-border cooperation and exchanges. The meeting also focused on making substantial preparations for the next meeting of the Special Representatives (SR), set to take place in India later this year.
During the visit, the Indian delegation leader met China’s Assistant Foreign Minister Hong Lei. Earlier this year, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri had visited Beijing on January 26-27 for discussions under the Foreign Secretary-Vice Foreign Minister mechanism. Following those talks, both nations had agreed to resume the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in the summer of 2025.
This meeting was a continuation of efforts to review and stabilize India-China relations, as per the agreement between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping during their meeting in Kazan last October. Both sides also agreed, in principle, to resume direct air services between the two countries. The relevant technical authorities will negotiate an updated framework for this at an early date.
