Ministry of External Affairs Government of India

A meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs was held in New Delhi on 16-17 October 2014. The Indian delegation was led by Shri Pradeep Kumar Rawat, Joint Secretary (East Asia) and comprised representatives of the Ministries of External Affairs, Defence and Home Affairs as well as members of the Indian Army and Indo-Tibetan Border Police. The Chinese delegation was led by Mr. Ouyang Yujing, Director General, Department of Boundary and Oceanic Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and comprised representatives of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and National Defence.

The talks were held in a frank and constructive manner. Both sides discussed various issues pertaining to the maintenance of peace and tranquillity in the border areas following the successful termination of the recent standoff in the Western Sector. Both sides reached consensus on several additional confidence building measures and agreed to implement them at the earliest. The measures include inter-alia regular interaction between the Army Headquarters and Field Commands of the two sides; additional border personnel meeting points; and more telecommunication linkages between forward posts of the two sides at mutually agreed locations. These measures are expected to assist in the timely and effective management of situations that may arise on the border.

Both sides again emphasized the importance of this Mechanism and agreed that it had become one of the primary mechanisms for management of boundary affairs.

The next meeting of the Working Mechanism will be held at a mutually convenient time.