India and China Review Border Situation, Eye Future ‘Special Representatives’ Talks

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India and China have concluded a key meeting to review the overall situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh and to lay the groundwork for the next round of “Special Representatives” talks on the protracted boundary question. The discussions, held on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in New Delhi, during the 34th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC), signal ongoing diplomatic efforts to manage the complex border dispute.

Both nations expressed satisfaction with the general prevalence of peace and tranquility in the border areas, acknowledging that this has contributed to a gradual normalization of bilateral relations. This assessment from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) indicates a continued, albeit cautious, movement towards easing tensions that escalated significantly after the Galwan Valley clashes in 2020.

The WMCC meeting, led by Gourangalal Das, Joint Secretary (East Asia) for India, and Hong Liang, Director General of the Boundary and Oceanic Affairs Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, also focused on preparations for the upcoming Special Representatives’ (SR) talks. These high-level dialogues are critical, with India’s National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi serving as the appointed Special Representatives. The next round of SR talks is anticipated to be held in India later this year, following the last meeting in Beijing in December 2024.

The ongoing dialogue mechanisms, both military and diplomatic, are central to managing the undemarcated 3,488-kilometer (2,167-mile) LAC, which has been a flashpoint for decades. While disengagement of troops from several friction points in eastern Ladakh has occurred, a complete de-escalation by pulling back frontline forces remains a key objective for India. Each side currently maintains a substantial troop presence, estimated at 50,000 to 60,000 personnel, along the LAC in the region.

The discussions at the WMCC also delved into various measures explored during previous rounds of SR talks and the 33rd WMCC meeting, aimed at advancing effective border management and sustaining peace. The Chinese delegation leader, Hong Liang, also called on Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, underscoring the importance of diplomatic engagement.

This series of interactions, including the recent meeting between India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing, reflects both countries’ commitment to maintaining dialogue. While a permanent resolution to the intricate boundary question is acknowledged as a long-term endeavor, these sustained engagements are vital for preventing further escalations and fostering an environment conducive to future progress in bilateral relations.