Efforts underway to resolve roadblocks in trade, economic cooperation with China: Govt

After India and China reached an agreement on patrolling arrangements along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh last year, efforts are now underway to resolve roadblocks in trade and economic cooperation.

“Issues related to restrictive trade measures and roadblocks to economic cooperation have been raised by the External Affairs Minister and Foreign Secretary with their Chinese counterparts. Discussions on these matters have also been held at the working level,” Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh told the Parliament in a written reply.

Both New Delhi and Beijing reached an agreement on patrolling arrangements along the Line of Actual Control in India-China border areas in Depsang and Demchok on October 21, 2024, leading to disengagement, the reply stated.

“The agreement has since been effected and implemented as per modalities and timelines agreed. The terms of the disengagement agreements reached prior to October 21, 2024 continue to hold in relevant areas in eastern Ladakh,” it said.

India and China have discussed issues related to de-escalation at various levels including that of External Affairs and Defence Ministers, it mentioned.

Until October 2024, both countries remained engaged to resolve issues of disengagement along the LAC through the Working Mechanism for Cooperation and Coordination (WMCC) and the Senior Highest Military Commanders meeting (SHMC) mechanism, it said.

“Since the disengagement in 2024, besides mechanisms to address boundary-related issues such as the India-China Special Representatives’ Talks and the WMCC, both sides have held various other meetings to stabilise and rebuild ties, with a priority on people-centric engagements, including the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, direct flight connectivity, transborder rivers, and carried out activities to commemorate the 75^th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations,” it mentioned.

Since last year, meetings have been held between the Prime Minister, Defence Minsiter, External Affairs Minister, National Security Advisor, Foreign Secretary and their Chinese counterparts, it added.