NEW DELHI, May 31:
India and China today held in-person diplomatic talks here and discussed proposals for disengagement in the remaining friction points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh in a “frank and open manner”.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said both sides agreed to hold 19th round of high-level military talks at an early date to achieve the objective of restoration of peace and tranquillity in the border areas.
The meeting took place under the framework of Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC).
The Indian and Chinese troops are locked in an over three-year confrontation in certain friction points in eastern Ladakh even as the two sides completed disengagement from several areas following extensive diplomatic and military talks.
“The two sides reviewed the situation along the LAC in Western Sector of India-China border areas and discussed proposals for disengagement in remaining areas in a frank and open manner,” it said.
“Restoration of peace and tranquillity will create conditions for normalising bilateral relations,” the MEA said.
“In order to achieve this objective, in accordance with existing bilateral agreements and protocols, they agreed to hold the next (19th) round of Senior Commander’s meeting at an early date,” it said in a statement.
The MEA said the two sides agreed to continue discussions through military and diplomatic channels.
It was the 27th meeting of the WMCC. The previous WMCC meeting was held in Beijing on February 22.
The Joint Secretary (East Asia) from the Ministry of External Affairs led the Indian delegation.
The Chinese side was led by the Director General of the Boundary and Oceanic Affairs Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (PTI)
The 18th round of high-level military talks between the two sides were held on April 23 during which they agreed to stay in close touch and work out a mutually acceptable solution to the remaining issues in eastern Ladakh at the earliest.
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