India, China to hold WMCC meeting today; Know More

New Delhi, Aug 20: In order to discuss disengagement along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh and de-escalation of troops, the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on India-China border affairs will conduct a meeting on Thursday.

 

 

This comes as the disengagement process has been not yet completed in some friction areas along the LAC despite five rounds that have been conducted since June. Though Beijing has claimed, "China’s traditional customary boundary line is in accordance with the LAC", rejecting suggestions that China has expanded its territorial claim at Pangong Tso. However, India responding to these remarks said, "There has been some progress made towards this objective, but the disengagement process has as yet not been completed."

 

On July 24, the seventeenth meeting of WMCC was held in which the two countries agreed that "early and complete disengagement of the troops along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and de-escalation from India-China border areas in accordance with bilateral agreement and protocols and full restoration of peace and tranquillity was essential for the smooth overall development of bilateral relations." The WMCC talks are headed by joint secretary-level officials from both sides.

 

Meanwhile, China has not disengaged its troops in the Finger area, Depsang plains, and Gogra after multiple rounds of military and diplomatic talks. Chinese troops have been camping in the Finger area for over three months now and have even started fortifying their bases with the construction of bunkers and sangars.

 

India has said that it expects that the "Chinese side will sincerely work with us for complete disengagement and de-escalation and full restoration of peace and tranquility in the border areas at the earliest as agreed to by the Special Representatives".