India, China agree to 'early and complete' disengagement, de-escalation at LAC

Tribune News Service 
New Delhi, July 24

India and China on Friday agreed another meeting of the senior commanders may be held soon so as to work out further steps to ensure expeditiously complete disengagement and de-escalation and restoration of peace and tranquillity in the border areas.

The decision was arrived at the 17th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) held on Friday.

Reviewing the situation in the India-China border areas and the ongoing disengagement process along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Western Sector, they agreed that early and complete disengagement of the troops along the 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 smooth overall development of bilateral relations. 

The two sides noted that this was in accordance with the agreement reached between the two Special Representatives during their July 5 telephonic conversation, a Ministry of External Affairs statement said.

Both sides agreed it was necessary for India and China to sincerely implement the understandings reached between Senior Commanders in their meetings till date. 

The two sides also agreed to maintain their ongoing engagements both at the diplomatic and military level, including through the meetings of WMCC.

The Indian delegation was led by Joint Secretary (East Asia) from the Ministry of External Affairs, while the Director General of the Boundary & Oceanic Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs led the Chinese delegation.