India and China held the 32nd round of diplomatic talks under the Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) on December 5, 2024, in New Delhi.
The discussions were led by Gourangalal Das, Joint Secretary (East Asia) from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, and Hong Liang, Director General of the Boundary & Oceanic Affairs Department of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
A key highlight of the talks was the mutual affirmation of the successful implementation of the latest disengagement agreement, marking significant progress in resolving border tensions that emerged in 2020. According to a statement by the Ministry of External Affairs, the agreement has “significantly reduced tensions in disputed border areas” and is viewed as a major step towards achieving stability along the India-China border.
The meeting also laid the groundwork for the next round of discussions between the Special Representatives of the two nations. This follow-up meeting was agreed upon during the October 23, 2024, summit in Kazan, where Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed their shared commitment to strengthening bilateral ties.
Both sides are optimistic that the upcoming talks will reinforce diplomatic efforts and ensure sustained peace in the border regions.
India and China share a 3,488-kilometre-long border, much of which remains disputed. Tensions peaked in 2020 following violent clashes in the Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh. The skirmishes prompted an extended period of disengagement talks, culminating in the 2024 agreement, which has been widely regarded as a milestone in de-escalation efforts.
