India, China hold first physical meet of WMCC since Galwan

India and China discussed proposals for disengagement in the remaining flashpoints near the Ladakh border, in the first ever physical meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination (WMCC) on India-China Border Affairs since the Galwan clash in 2020.

The meeting was held in Beijing and both sides have agreed to take forward the talks, with a meeting of senior military commanders to be held at an early date. A statement by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that the talks were held in a constructive manner that can help create conditions for restoration of normalcy in bilateral relations.

"The two sides reviewed the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the western sector of India-China border areas 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," the MEA said.

The 26th meeting of the WMCC is the first to be held in the physical format since July 2019. Following the meeting, tensions broke out on the Ladakh front from May 2020 and China also imposed strict Covid-19 protocols.

Joint secretary (East Asia) from the Ministry of External Affairs led the Indian delegation. The Chinese delegation was led by director general of the Boundary & Oceanic Affairs Department of the Chinese ministry of foreign affairs.

The statement added that the next (18th) round of senior commanders meeting will take place at an early date and the "two sides agreed to continue discussions through military and diplomatic channels".