India-China approve continuing dialogue in order to resolve LAC standoff in Eastern Ladakh

On Friday, India and China decided to maintain dialogue and communication in order to find a mutually acceptable solution for total disengagement along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, allowing improvement in overall bilateral ties.

This was decided upon during the 22nd virtual meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on India-China Border Affairs.

The two nations agreed to this during a new round of diplomatic negotiations to end the long-running border conflict in eastern Ladakh, which flared in early May of last year.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the two parties agreed to convene the 12th round of military discussions as soon as possible to accomplish the goal of total withdrawal from all friction areas along the LAC in the western sector in line with existing bilateral pacts and protocols.

The ministry stated, "The two sides agreed to hold the next round of the senior commanders meeting at an early date to achieve the objective of complete disengagement from all the friction points along the LAC in the western sector in accordance with the existing bilateral agreements and protocols."

As per the MEA, the two sides held an open discussion about the situation along the LAC in eastern Ladakh.

The ministry stated in a statement issued at the conclusion of the discussions that both parties agreed on the need of resolving the pending issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh as early as possible.

The meetings took place against the background of a new round of clashes between the two sides over the impasse, and also a gridlock in further progress in the disengagement process following both sides' evacuation of soldiers from the north and south banks of Pangong Lake in February.

All parties agreed that in the interim, they will strive to guarantee ground stability and prevent any adverse incidents, as per the MEA.