As part of their ongoing efforts to normalise their relations, India and China met in Beijing for the 35th WMCC on Border Affairs, during which they reviewed border management and broader collaboration.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the discussions covered border delimitation, management mechanisms and cross-border cooperation, with both sides agreeing to maintain regular diplomatic and military-level engagement.
The Indian side requested that the Expert Level Mechanism on Trans-border Rivers convene as soon as possible, and the two nations have committed to maintaining communication through existing channels, including the agreements made during the 24th Special Representatives (SR) Talks.
The two sides discussed developments in border areas and expressed pleasure over efforts in maintaining peace and tranquillity, which has helped the progressive normalisation of bilateral ties. “The discussions were constructive and forward looking,” the MEA said, adding that the process had been fruitful.
Hou Yanqi, Director General of the Boundary and Oceanic Affairs Department of China’s Foreign Ministry, led the Chinese team, while Sujit Ghosh, Joint Secretary (East Asia), led the Indian delegation.
The two nations also decided to make serious plans for the upcoming Special Representatives meeting in China.
While in China, the Indian team met separately with Hong Lei, China’s assistant foreign minister, and Liu Jinsong, director general of the department of Asian affairs.
The engagement follows India-China bilateral consultations under the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) held in New Delhi in April, where both sides reviewed cooperation on security, trade, connectivity and people-to-people exchanges.
During the SCO meetings, which were chaired by Ambassadors Alok A. Dimri of India and Yan Wenbin of China, the two countries reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining communication and cooperation within the multilateral organization.
New Delhi and Beijing are making steps to stabilise relationships and deepen communication channels, which is reflected in their revived diplomatic engagement. These efforts are being driven by broader regional and geopolitical reasons.
Image Credit: The Hindu
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