New Delhi, Mar 25 (UNI) India and China held border talks in Beijing today, during which they agreed to take "concrete and effective measures" to continue maintaining peace and stability in the border areas, and also exchanged views on early resumption of the Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra.

During the 33rd meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) held in Beijing, the two sides decided to "actively prepare for the 24th meeting of Special Representatives for the China-India Boundary Question".

The Indian delegation to the talks was led by Gourangalal Das, Joint Secretary (East Asia), and the Chinese delegation was led by Hong Liang, Director General of the Boundary & Oceanic Affairs Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a statement said.

Held in a positive and constructive atmosphere, the meeting comprehensively reviewed the situation along the Line of Actual Control in the India-China border areas.

Peace and tranquility on the border are critical for the smooth development of overall bilateral relations.

The two sides explored various measures and proposals to give effect to the decisions taken during the 23rd meeting of the Special Representatives on the India-China boundary question in Beijing in December 2024 and to advance effective border management.

The two sides agreed to maintain and strengthen relevant diplomatic and military mechanisms towards this end. They also exchanged views on early resumption of cross-border cooperation and exchanges, including on trans-border rivers and Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra.

The two sides agreed to work together to make substantial preparation for the next meeting of the Special Representatives (SR), which will be held in India later this year.

The Indian delegation leader paid a courtesy call on Assistant Foreign Minister Hong Lei, it added.

Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong, in a post on X, said:

"The 33rd meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on #China-India Border Affairs was held in Beijing today.

"Both sides, adopting a positive, constructive, and forward-looking approach, conducted a comprehensive and in-depth exchange of views on implementing the consensus reached during the 23rd meeting of Special Representatives for the China-India Boundary Question last December.

"The two sides agreed to take concrete and effective measures to continue maintaining peace and stability in the China-India border areas and actively prepare for the 24th meeting of Special Representatives for the China-India Boundary Question."

UNI RN