1st meet in Beijing since LAC standoff

NEW DELHI: India and China held another round of diplomatic talks on Wednesday to review the LAC situation. While a breakthrough for disengagement in remaining areas remained elusive, the talks on this occasion took place in-person for the first time since 2019. Significantly, an Indian delegation led by the MEA joint secretary (East Asia) travelled to Beijing for the talks.

“The two sides reviewed the situation along the LAC in the western sector of India-China border areas and discussed proposals for disengagement in the remaining areas in an open and constructive manner, which would help in restoration of peace and tranquillity along the LAC in western sector and create conditions for restoration of normalcy in bilateral relations,” said the government in a statement.

In order to achieve this objective in accordance with the existing bilateral agreements and protocols, the government added that the two countries agreed to hold the next (18th) round of the senior commanders’ meeting at an early date.

According to China, the two sides reviewed the “positive progress” made previous-ly, affirmed the results of disengagement of the border troops of the two countries in the Galwan Valley and “other four places in the early stage, and had a candid and in-depth exchange of views on the next stage of consultation ideas” and reached a four-point consensus. First, said Beijing, they agreed to actively implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries to further stabilise the border situation.

Second, it added, the twosides agreed to consolidate the results of the negotiations, strictly abide by the agreements reached by the two sides and the spirit of the relevant consensus, avoid repetition of the situation on the ground, and ensure peace in the border areas.

“Third, the two sides agreed to meet each other halfway on the basis of the previously reached consensus, to speed up the resolution of issues related to the western section of the Sino-Indian border, and to reach a solution acceptable to both sides at an early date; the two sides discussed other measures to further ease the border situation. . . Fourth, the two sides agreed to continue to maintain close communication and hold the 18th round of military commander-level talks as soon as possible,” it said.