New Delhi/IBNS: India and China held the 27th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on border affairs (WMCC) in person Wednesday in New Delhi, during which they reviewed the situation along the LAC in the Western Sector and discussed proposals for disengagement in the remaining areas in a frank and open manner.

Joint Secretary (East Asia) from MEA Shilpak Ambule led the Indian Delegation.

The Chinese delegation was led by the DG of Boundary and Oceanic Affairs Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"The two sides reviewed the situation along the LAC in Western Sector of India-China border areas and discussed proposals for disengagement in remaining areas in a frank and open manner.

"Restoration of peace and tranquillity will create conditions for normalising bilateral relations," a statement said.

In order to achieve this objective, in accordance with existing bilateral agreements and protocols, they agreed to hold the next (19th) round of Senior Commander's meetings at an early date.

The two sides agreed to continue discussions through military and diplomatic channels, it added.

India and China held the 18th round of Corps Commander Level Meeting at the Chushul-Moldo border meeting point on the Chinese side on April 23 this year.

The two countries have been locked in a border row for almost three years along the Line of Actual Control.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, during his talks with his Chinese counterpart Li Shangfu as a part of the latter’s visit to India for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting in New Delhi on April 27-28, had categorically conveyed that the development of relations between India and China is premised on the prevalence of peace and tranquillity at the borders.

In early March External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had conveyed to his Chinese counterpart Qin Gang that the state of the bilateral relations was “abnormal” and beset by “real problems that need to be looked at”, especially the issue of peace and tranquility in the border areas.

[With UNI inputs]