Indian MEA spokesperson highlights commander-level talks, India's stance on border row with China

New Delhi: Indian Ministry of External Affairs’ (MEA) new Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated India's enduring stance on its relationship with China. Emphasizing the abnormal nature of this relationship during a weekly media briefing on Thursday, Jaiswal highlighted ongoing dialogues on both military and diplomatic fronts throughout October and November with the goal of reaching a resolution.

India, in its well-known position on China, continues to actively engage with the neighboring nation. The recent statements by MEA's Official Spokesperson shed light on the multifaceted approach undertaken by India, involving both military and diplomatic channels. These engagements, carried out over the past two months, signify a commitment to finding a resolution to the complex issues at hand. 

20^th commander-level meeting and diplomatic initiatives 

Jaiswal provided insights into the specific dialogues that transpired in October and November. A pivotal commander-level meeting held in October resulted in an agreement to sustain dialogues and negotiations through relevant military and diplomatic mechanisms. The focus of these discussions was to ensure the maintenance of peace and tranquility along the shared border areas.

Additionally, diplomatic initiatives were taken forward through the twentieth meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC). This diplomatic level engagement involved Joint Secretary East Asia from the MEA, fostering in-depth and constructive discussions. The participants explored various proposals aimed at resolving remaining issues and achieving complete disengagement, particularly in eastern Ladakh. 

A crucial aspect highlighted by Jaiswal was the mutual agreement between India and China on the imperative need to maintain peace and tranquility along the border areas. The commitment extends to ensuring a stable situation on the ground and avoiding untoward incidents. Significantly, both nations agreed to continue the dialogue through military and diplomatic channels. Plans for the next round of senior commanders' meetings were also discussed with the aim of achieving the overarching objective of resolution. 

Corps commander-level talks in Chushul 

India and China, as part of ongoing efforts for disengagement and de-escalation, engaged in the 20th round of Corps Commander-level talks at Chushul in October. The frank, open, and constructive exchanges during these talks were geared towards achieving an early and mutually acceptable resolution of remaining issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Western Sector.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's reflections on India's historical relationship with China added a nuanced perspective. Jaishankar, while speaking at the launch of his book 'Why Bharat Matters,' highlighted the significance of adopting a more Bharat-centric approach, suggesting it could have shaped the nation's view of its ties with China differently. 

The recent developments underscore India's active pursuit of resolution with China, encompassing both diplomatic and military engagements. The commitment to dialogue, historical reflections, and ongoing efforts for de-escalation contribute to the multifaceted nature of India-China relations.