India, China Hold First Official Border Talks After Ladakh Disengagement: Focus On Peace, LAC Management, And Future Engagements

Over a month after completing troop disengagement at key friction points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh in October, India and China held their first official-level talks in New Delhi on Thursday (5 December). 

At the meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on India-China Border Affairs, both sides “reflected on the lessons” from the military standoff and emphasised the need for “effective border management” and “maintenance of peace and tranquillity” in line with existing bilateral agreements.

In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that the two sides "positively affirmed the implementation of the most recent disengagement agreement which completed the resolution of the issues that emerged in 2020.” 

The dialogue also paved the way for the next meeting of the Special Representatives on the boundary question, with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi set to lead the discussions.

This meeting followed the successful restoration of patrolling rights and disengagement at Depsang Plains and Demchok.

The 21 October border patrolling pact facilitated a meeting between PM Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping during the BRICS Summit in Kazan on 23 October.

The WMCC discussions also included plans to revive dialogue mechanisms, including the Special Representatives’ dialogue on the boundary issue.

The Indian delegation was led by Joint Secretary (East Asia) Gourangalal Das, while the Chinese team was headed by Hong Liang, Director General of the Boundary and Oceanic Affairs Department.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar informed Parliament earlier this week that the “conclusion of disengagement” marks progress in India-China ties but stressed adherence to three principles: strict respect for the LAC, no unilateral alteration of the status quo, and full compliance with past agreements. These principles, he noted, remain essential for improving bilateral relations.

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