India China agreed to sincerely work towards complete disengagement of the troops along LAC at WMCC meet: MEA

Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday said that India and China agreed to resolve the outstanding issues in 'expeditious manner' and in accordance with the existing agreements and protocols. The development comes following the diplomatic talks on border skirmish in eastern Ladakh.

New Delhi: India and China agreed to resolve the outstanding issues in 'expeditious manners' and in accordance with the existing agreements and protocols, the MEA said on Thursday after both the sides held diplomatic talks on border skirmish in eastern Ladakh.

“The two sides had a candid and in-depth exchange of views on the existing situation in the India-China border areas. They reaffirmed that in accordance with the agreements reached between the two Foreign Ministers and the two Special Representatives (SRs), the two sides will continue to sincerely work towards complete disengagement of the troops along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Western Sector”, MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said.

The virtual talks held under the Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC).

The Indian delegation was led by Joint Secretary (East Asia) from the Ministry of External Affairs, while the Director-General of the Boundary & Oceanic Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs led the Chinese delegation.

"The two sides were in agreement that restoration of peace and tranquillity in the border areas would be essential for the overall development of bilateral relations", the spokesperson said during a media briefing.

The two sides further acknowledged the need to maintain close communication through both the diplomatic and military channels so as to ensure complete disengagement.

In this regard, they also agreed to continue their ongoing engagements including through the meetings of the WMCC, the MEA further added.

This was the fourth meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) since tensions erupted early May. The tension escalated after the violent face-off in Galwan Valley on June 15 in which 20 Indian Army personnel were killed. The Chinese side also suffered casualties.

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