India, China Hold 31st Meeting On Border Affairs, Aim To Resolve Differences

China and India convened the 31st Meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on Border Affairs in Beijing on Thursday. The meeting was co-chaired by Hong Liang, Director-General of the Department of Boundary and Ocean Affairs of China's Foreign Ministry and Gourangalal Das, Joint Secretary of the East Asia Division of India's Ministry of External Affairs.

During the discussions, China and India agreed to work towards an early resolution of the border situation, following the guiding principles set out in recent meetings between their foreign ministers.

“Both sides conducted an in-depth exchange of views on the relevant issues, narrowing differences and expanding their consensus. The two agreed to strengthen dialogue and consultation, consider each other's legitimate concerns, and reach a mutually acceptable solution as soon as possible,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China said in a statement.

Both countries also expressed commitment to consolidating the outcomes of these consultations, strictly adhering to existing border-related agreements and confidence-building measures and continuing to work together to ensure peace in the border areas.

The meeting, attended by representatives from the foreign affairs, national defence and immigration departments of both nations, was characterised by a positive, friendly and candid atmosphere.