India and China held a high-level meeting in Beijing today, focusing on the boundary issue in detail. This marked the 33rd session of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on India-China Border Affairs. Officials from both countries reviewed the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). They agreed to resume cross-border cooperation and exchanges, including discussions on trans-border rivers and the Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra.

The Indian delegation was led by Gourangalal Das, Joint Secretary (East Asia) in the Ministry of External Affairs. At the same time, the Chinese side was represented by Hong Liang, Director General of the Boundary and Oceanic Affairs Department. Both nations are committed to thoroughly preparing for the upcoming Special Representatives (SRs) meeting on the boundary issue, which will take place in Delhi later this year.

Following the meeting, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that discussions took place in a “positive and constructive atmosphere” and that both sides “comprehensively reviewed the situation along the Line of Actual Control.” The ministry further noted that “the two sides explored various measures and proposals to give effect to the decisions taken during the 23rd meeting of the Special Representatives on the India-China boundary question in Beijing in December 2024 and to advance effective border management.” Additionally, Beijing and New Delhi agreed to “maintain and strengthen” existing diplomatic and military mechanisms to address issues along the LAC.

Following the meeting, Mr Das, who led the Indian delegation, made a courtesy visit to China's Assistant Foreign Minister, Hong Lei.

Since October 2024, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, both countries have been working towards restoring the pre-2020 status along the LAC to improve relations.

On March 16, during an interview with podcast host Lex Fridman, PM Modi expressed optimism about India’s ties with China. He stressed the need for both nations to learn from and understand each other while focusing on rebuilding trust, enthusiasm, and cooperation. In the three-hour-long interview, PM Modi highlighted the deep cultural and civilisational ties between India and China. He pointed out that, despite their long history, the two nations had never engaged in conflict. While advocating for healthy competition, he emphasised that it should never escalate into conflict.

China welcomed PM Modi’s “positive” remarks, emphasising that a “dragon-elephant dance” cooperation is the only right path for the two neighbours. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson highlighted that "Let me stress that in the 2000-plus years' history of interactions, the two countries have maintained friendly exchanges and both countries learned from each other, contributing to civilisational achievements and human progress."