By The Sampadak Express
India and China held a productive meeting on Tuesday in Beijing under the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on border affairs. The discussions focused on resuming cross-border cooperation, particularly concerning trans-border rivers and the Kailash-Mansarovar pilgrimage.
This meeting is part of ongoing efforts to normalize bilateral relations after the military standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Ladakh sector, which was resolved last October. The meeting also followed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks that cooperation between India and China is essential for global stability and prosperity.
According to the external affairs ministry, the meeting was held in a “positive and constructive atmosphere,” with both sides exchanging views on the early resumption of the Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra and collaboration on trans-border rivers. In addition, discussions were held on effective border management and maintaining diplomatic and military mechanisms to strengthen cooperation.
The two countries also agreed to make substantial preparations for the next Special Representatives meeting, scheduled to be held later this year in India. National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who serve as the Special Representatives, will lead the talks.
During their last meeting in December 2024, Doval and Wang discussed measures to ensure peace along the border, focusing on enhancing cooperation, including the resumption of the Kailash-Mansarovar pilgrimage, data sharing on trans-border rivers, and border trade. While the details of resuming the pilgrimage are still being worked out, India is keen to restart data-sharing agreements, especially in light of China’s planned hydropower projects on the upper reaches of the Brahmaputra River.
The meeting also reviewed the situation along the LAC, with both sides reaffirming the importance of peace and tranquility for the smooth development of bilateral relations. China’s foreign ministry stated that the talks were carried out in a “positive, constructive, and forward-looking manner.”
The Indian delegation was led by Gourangalal Das, Joint Secretary (East Asia) in the Ministry of External Affairs, while the Chinese side was represented by Hong Liang, Director General of the Boundary and Oceanic Affairs Department in China’s Foreign Ministry. Das also met with China’s Assistant Foreign Minister Hong Lei during the visit.
The bilateral relationship between India and China had severely deteriorated after the 2020 skirmishes in the Ladakh sector, which led to the Galwan Valley clash. However, through continuous dialogue and several rounds of talks under the WMCC framework, both sides have managed to de-escalate tensions. Following an agreement in October 2024, forces were withdrawn from the remaining “friction points” in Demchok and Depsang.
Prime Minister Modi, in a recent podcast, highlighted the importance of cooperation between neighbors like India and China for global peace and prosperity, acknowledging that while differences exist, they should not turn into disputes. His remarks were seen as a positive step towards rebuilding relations, with China’s foreign ministry expressing readiness to work with India towards this goal.
As both countries continue to work on enhancing ties, the next steps in their cooperation will be closely watched, with a particular focus on resolving outstanding border issues and strengthening bilateral mechanisms.
