Border Tensions: India-China Discuss Disengagement

Amidst the frictions at the borders, India and China convened to discuss the intricate matter of complete disengagement and resolution of issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Western Sector of their shared border. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) conveyed this development through an official press release on Thursday.

This development unfolded during the 29th session of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC), held in Beijing on Wednesday.

As per the official statement, the session was chaired jointly by a Joint Secretary from the MEA, leading the Indian delegation, and the Director General of the Boundary & Oceanic Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, heading the Chinese delegation. The press release detailed, “The 29th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) was held on 27 March 2024 in Beijing. Joint Secretary (East Asia) from the Ministry of External Affairs led the Indian delegation. The Chinese delegation was led by Director General of the Boundary & Oceanic Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”

During the session, both sides engaged in an extensive exchange of perspectives on achieving complete disengagement and resolving the outstanding issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Western Sector of the India-China border.

Following the meeting, mutual agreement was reached to maintain open diplomatic and military channels to uphold peace and tranquility on the ground in the border regions. The Ministry stated, “In the interim, both sides agreed to maintain regular contact through diplomatic and military channels and on the need to uphold peace and tranquility on the ground in the border areas in accordance with existing bilateral agreements and protocols.”

Highlighting the prior session, the MEA recalled the 28th meeting of the WMCC held in November of the preceding year. During this meeting, the situation along the LAC in the Western Sector of the India-China border was reviewed, and discussions were held on proposals to resolve outstanding issues and achieve complete disengagement in Eastern Ladakh.

Both parties also underscored the importance of preserving peace and tranquility along the border regions, ensuring a stable environment on the ground, and averting any untoward incidents. Meanwhile, India reiterated its stance on the “absurd claims” and “baseless arguments” put forth by China regarding Arunachal Pradesh, asserting the northeastern state’s integral status within India.

In an official statement on March 19, the Ministry of External Affairs emphasized that the people of Arunachal Pradesh would “continue to benefit” from India’s developmental initiatives and infrastructure projects. The Chinese defense ministry, however, reiterated its territorial claim over Arunachal Pradesh, labeling it as “Zangan,” an inherent part of China’s territory.

“Zangnan is China’s inherent territory, and China never recognizes and firmly opposes India’s illegal establishment of the so-called ‘Arunachal Pradesh’,” stated spokesperson of the Ministry of National Defense Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang on March 15.

These remarks from the Chinese military followed closely after India strongly rebutted China’s comments on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Arunachal Pradesh.