Fresh round of Sino-India border talks likely today

India and China will hold a fresh round of diplomatic talks on Friday to further de-escalate the situation on both nations at the Line of Actual Control under the framework of Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on India-China border affairs. The disengagement of troops from the friction points formally kicked off on Monday following a eight-week eyeballto-eyeball confrontation between the two armies.

Government sources said the two sides are also expected to hold a fourth round of Corps commander level dialogue by early next week to finalise modalities for de-induction of troops by both sides at their rear bases in the high-altitude region.

As the first phase of the disengagement neared completion, external affairs ministry spokesperson Anurag Srivastava, at a media briefing, once again rejected China’s claim over Galwan Valley, but reiterated that India remained convinced of the need for maintenance of peace and tranquillity in the border areas and resolution of differences through dialogue.

The external affairs ministry said national security advisor Ajit Doval had categorically told Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi in their phone conversation on Sunday that Indian troops have “always taken a very responsible approach towards border management” but at the same time “were deeply committed to ensuring India’s sovereignty and security”.

The MEA reiterated India’s position that “recent Chinese claims to the Galwan Valley area are exaggerated and untenable”.