India China hold talks, first time after border standoff in 2020.

Joint Secretary (East Asia) in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Shilpak Ambule, on Wednesday held talks with top Chinese border officials and also met with Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Hua Chunying.

According to reports, the two countries discussed proposals for disengagement in the remaining friction areas along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in an "open and constructive" manner to create conditions to “restore normalcy” in relations.

The MEA said in the 26th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination India-China border affairs (WMCC), both sides “reviewed the situation along the LAC” and “discussed proposals for disengagement in the remaining areas in an open and constructive manner, which would help in restoration of peace and tranquillity along the LAC in Western Sector and create conditions for restoration of normalcy in bilateral relations”.

A statement from the Chinese side said both sides “reviewed the positive progress” and outcomes of disengagement in Galwan Valley and four other friction areas, while exchanging views on the next stage of talks.

It said both sides “agreed to move forward on the basis of the consensus previously reached, accelerate the resolution of issues related to the western section of the Sino-Indian border, and reach a mutually acceptable solution at an early date”.  The statement said both sides had discussed other measures to ease the situation in border areas and to return the border to normalised control.

Towards the end of the meeting which was held on February 22, 2023 in Beijing, both sides have also agreed to hold the next 18th round of talks between senior military commanders at an early date. The last round was held on December 20, 2022.

The last in-person meeting took place in July 2019 and already 17 meetings at the commander’s level have taken place.

(Source- The Hindu/ ANI)