India and China held a new round of diplomatic talks in Beijing on March 25, focusing on ensuring effective border management and the swift restoration of cross-border cooperation, including on issues like cross-border rivers and the Kailash-Mansarovar yatra.

During the talks, held under the framework of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC), both sides discussed various measures and proposals to implement the decisions made during the special representative talks between National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in December.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, India and China agreed to work together to prepare adequately for the next meeting of their special representatives on the boundary issue, which is scheduled to take place later this year in the national capital.

The Ministry of External Affairs stated that the WMCC meeting took place in a "positive and constructive atmosphere," and both sides conducted a "comprehensive" review of the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

The Ministry also noted that peace and stability along the border are crucial for the smooth development of overall bilateral relations.

It is understood that the two sides discussed the overall situation along the LAC in Eastern Ladakh, where approximately 50,000 to 60,000 troops from both sides are deployed. In December, Doval had visited Beijing for talks with Foreign Minister Wang under the SR framework on the boundary issue. The decision to revive the SR mechanism and other dialogue formats was taken during a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Kazan on October 23.

The Ministry of External Affairs also mentioned that during the WMCC talks, both sides agreed to work together to prepare adequately for the next Special Representative meeting scheduled for later this year in India. Additionally, discussions were held on the prompt resumption of cross-border cooperation and exchanges, including cross-border rivers and the Kailash-Mansarovar yatra.

The Indian delegation was led by Gauranglal Das, Joint Secretary (East Asia) in the Ministry of External Affairs, while the Chinese delegation was headed by Hong Liang, Director-General of the Department of Boundary and Oceanic Affairs of the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

The WMCC meeting came two months after the visit of Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri to Beijing, where he held talks with his Chinese counterpart.