Despite no breakthrough in the ongoing talks for LAC disengagement, India and China
expressed optimism on the efforts to end the eight-month-old military standoff in eastern Ladakh as they held another round of diplomatic talks on the issue. India again emphasised on complete and early disengagement at "all friction points" in the meeting that saw the two sides agreeing to have another round of military talks soon.
The Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) meeting, which was last held on September 30, saw India and China repose confidence in the dialogue between the military commanders to end the LAC impasse. While China said both sides "spoke highly" about the last or the eighth round of meeting between senior commanders, India said the meeting had helped ensure stability on the ground.
India's statement was more specific as it said the two sides had agreed to work towards ensuring complete disengagement at all friction points along the LAC in the western sector "at the earliest".
According to Beijing, India and China also agreed to take "concrete measures" to deal with the issues on the ground to further de-escalate the border situation. Both sides also agreed to maintain close consultations at the diplomatic and military level.
