Diplomatic & military officials of India-China to continue meetings over disengagement: MEA

External Affairs Ministry yesterday said the diplomatic and military officials of India and China will continue their meetings to take forward the process of disengagement and de-escalation.

 

In reply to a media query, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said the next meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China border affairs is expected to take place soon.

 

The Special Representatives of India and China on the Boundary Question - National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a telephone conversation on 5th July.

 

The spokesperson said the two Special Representatives had a frank and in-depth exchange of views on the recent developments in the Western Sector of the India-China border areas.

 

During the conversation, the NSA conveyed categorically India’s position on the recent developments along the Line of Actual Control, including in the Galwan valley area.

 

Mr Doval emphasised in this context that the Indian troops had always taken a very responsible approach towards border management and at the same time, were deeply committed to ensuring India’s sovereignty and security.

 

The two Special Representatives agreed that peace and tranquility in border areas was essential for the overall development of bilateral relations.

 

In this regard they also shared the view that it was necessary to ensure at the earliest complete disengagement of the troops along the LAC and de-escalation in the



India-China border areas for full restoration of peace and tranquility in accordance with the bilateral agreements and protocols.

 

One of the key provisions of these bilateral agreements is the commitment that the two sides shall strictly respect and observe the Line of Actual Control.

 

The Special Representatives also agreed that the two sides should work together to avoid any incident in the future that could disturb peace and tranquility in border areas.

 

The External Affairs Ministry spokesperson said that there have been some inaccurate and uninformed comments about the disengagement process and its implications.

 

He said in the last few weeks, Ministry has made several statements spelling out categorically the position of the Government on different aspects of the current situation in the Western Sector of India-China border areas.

 

They include India's position that recent Chinese claims to the Galwan Valley area are exaggerated and untenable and that the LAC must be strictly respected and observed as this is the basis for peace and tranquility in the border areas.

 

They also include that neither side should take any unilateral action to alter it. He said India remains convinced of the need for maintenance of peace and tranquility in the border areas and the resolution of differences through dialogue.

 

He stressed that at the same time, country is also strongly committed to ensuring its sovereignty and territorial integrity.