India‑China Review LAC, Prep for SR Talks
India and China reviewed the current situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh during a meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) in Delhi on July 23, 2025. Both sides expressed overall satisfaction with the maintenance of peace and agreed to prepare for the next round of Special Representatives (SR) talks, which will take place in India later this year.
Talks at WMCC Meeting
Indian Joint Secretary for East Asia, Gourangalal Das, and his Chinese counterpart, Hong Liang, led the delegations. Their discussion focused on measures to manage the border effectively and sustain peace and tranquillity through diplomatic and military channels. They reviewed steps from the previous 23rd SR meeting and 33rd WMCC session, and committed to further confidence‑building efforts and transparent communication.
Preparing for SR Dialogue
National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who serve as Special Representatives, are expected to lead the forthcoming dialogue in India. The two governments aim to build on recent progress and hold the SR talks later this year.
Current Situation at the Border
While troops have disengaged from several friction points since October 2024, frontline forces remain deployed along parts of the LAC. Both sides are now focused on regular diplomatic and military-level contact to prevent misunderstandings and maintain calm.
Wider Context
This meeting follows a period of gradual de-escalation beginning after the 2020 Ladakh standoff, and a 2024 border patrol agreement that helped restore patrolling along certain LAC sectors. India’s Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar underscored at a June SCO summit the importance of resolving border tension permanently to build mutual trust. Despite these efforts, border infrastructure development by both countries continues, and unresolved border issues persist. A structured roadmap and ongoing communication remain central to making lasting progress.
