India, China to discuss 'complete disengagement' at next commanders’ meeting: MEA

India and China on Thursday held the 23rd meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) on Thursday.

Both India and China discussed the situation in eastern Ladakh. "The two sides had candid and in-depth discussions on the situation along the LAC in Western Sector of India-China Border Areas and also reviewed the developments since the last meeting of the Senior Commanders of both sides, which was held on October 10, 2021," the Union External Affairs Ministry said in a statement. Also read | As Kartarpur corridor reopens, a look at history of key pilgrim passage between India, Pakistan The two sides recalled the agreement between the External Affairs Minister and the Foreign Minister of China during their meeting at Dushanbe in September that military and diplomatic officials of the two sides should continue their discussions to resolve the remaining issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh. The Indian delegation was led by Additional Secretary (East Asia) from the Union Ministry of External Affairs. The Director General of the Boundary & Oceanic Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs led the Chinese delegation. Significantly, it was agreed that both sides should hold the next (14th) round of the Senior Commanders meeting at an early date to achieve the objective of complete disengagement from all friction points along the LAC in the Western Sector in accordance with the existing bilateral agreements and protocols. Also read | Research reveals the most popular password in India; read here There is a stalemate on complete disengagement from friction points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) following actions of the Chinese Army last year. India has said that the standoff is affecting the bilateral ties. It has also accused China of unilaterally altering the status quo along the LAC. China so far has taken a rigid position over complete disengagement. While areas such as Pangong Tso and Gogra have seen a pullback of troops by the two sides after several rounds of talks, Hot Springs is yet to see disengagement. -PTC News