In a significant step towards enhancing bilateral relations, China and India convened a meeting in Beijing on Thursday to discuss border affairs. The 31st Meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) saw active participation from key officials from both nations.
China's Director-General of the Department of Boundary and Ocean Affairs, Hong Liang, and India's Joint Secretary of the East Asia Division, Gourangalal Das, co-chaired the discussions. According to a statement from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), the meeting was conducted in a \"positive, friendly and frank atmosphere.\"
The leaders emphasized their commitment to \"turning over a new page\" in managing the border situation, aligning with the mutual understandings established during the July meeting between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Indian counterpart, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.
Both sides engaged in in-depth exchanges on various border-related issues, aiming to narrow differences and expand consensus. They agreed to strengthen dialogue, accommodate each other's legitimate concerns, and strive for a mutually acceptable solution in the near future.
Additionally, the parties committed to consolidating the outcomes of their consultations, strictly adhering to existing border agreements and confidence-building measures, and jointly maintaining peace and tranquility in the border regions.
The meeting was attended by representatives from government agencies responsible for foreign affairs, national defense, and immigration. This collaborative effort underscores the dedication of both China and India to fostering stable and peaceful border relations.
Reference(s):
China, India hold meeting on border affairs in 'positive' atmosphere
cgtn.com
