India, China ‘reflect on lessons learnt’, Doval and Wang to hold talks soon

“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 Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.

This was the first meeting between top officials of the two countries after the disengagement of troops and restoration of patrolling rights at the friction points of Depsang Plains and Demchok.

The border patrolling pact, announced on October 21, led to a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in the Russian city of Kazan on October 23.

At the WMCC meeting Thursday, the two sides agreed to revive several dialogue mechanisms including the Special Representatives dialogue on the boundary question.

“They also prepared for the next meeting of the Special Representatives, which is to be held in accordance with the decision of the two leaders in their meeting in Kazan on October 23,” the MEA said.

It said “both sides reviewed the situation in border areas, and reflected on the lessons learnt from the events of 2020 in order to prevent their recurrence”.

“In this context, they highlighted the importance of regular exchanges and contacts at diplomatic and military level through established mechanisms. They agreed on the need for effective border management and maintenance of peace and tranquillity in accordance with relevant bilateral agreements, protocols and understandings reached between the two governments,” the MEA said.

The Indian delegation at the talks was led by Gourangalal Das, Joint Secretary (East Asia) in the MEA.

The Chinese team was headed by Hong Liang, Director General of the Boundary and Oceanic Affairs Department in the Chinese Foreign Ministry. Hong also called on Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.

Two days ago, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar informed Parliament that the “conclusion of disengagement” has set Delhi-Beijing ties “in the direction of some improvement”.

“Recent developments that reflect our continuous diplomatic engagement… have set our ties in the direction of some improvement,” Jaishankar said.

While “disengagement has now been achieved in full in eastern Ladakh through a step-by-step process”, he said “the next priority will be to consider de-escalation, that would address the massing of troops along the LAC”. In this context, he said the “Special Representatives and Foreign Secretary-level mechanisms will be convening soon”.

While India is committed to remaining engaged with China to find a fair and mutually acceptable settlement of the boundary issue, relations will be contingent upon strict respect for the sanctity of the LAC and pacts on border management with no attempt to unilaterally alter the status quo, he said.

Jaishankar listed three key principles that had to be observed in all circumstances. “One, both sides should strictly respect and observe the LAC; two, neither side should attempt to unilaterally alter the status quo; and three, agreements and understandings reached in the past must be fully abided by in their entirety,” he said.