India and China Agree to Strengthen Mechanisms for LAC Peace

India and China have pledged to reinforce their diplomatic and military mechanisms to ensure peace and tranquility along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), following the 33rd meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) held in Beijing on Tuesday, March 25.

The meeting, described as “positive and constructive” by India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), marks a step forward in managing tensions along the contested border.

Led by Joint Secretary (East Asia) Gourangalal Das for India and Director General Hong Liang for China, the delegations reviewed the LAC situation comprehensively. They explored measures to implement decisions from the 23rd Special Representatives (SR) meeting in December 2024, aiming for effective border management.

Both sides agreed to maintain and enhance existing channels to prevent escalations, reflecting lessons from the 2020 Galwan clash that strained ties.

The agreement builds on recent progress, including the October 2024 disengagement deal that resolved 2020 friction points like Depsang and Demchok. Discussions also touched on resuming cross-border cooperation, such as the Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra and river data sharing. Preparations were set in motion for the next SR meeting in India later this year.

Amidst a history of standoffs, this commitment signals cautious optimism for stabilizing bilateral relations, though challenges like troop de-escalation remain unresolved.