Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination (WMCC) on India-China Border Affairs

Syllabus: GS2/International Relations

Context

• Recently, the 31st meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination (WMCC) on India-China Border Affairs was held in Beijing.

About the WMCC

• It is an institutional framework established to facilitate communication, coordination, and management of border-related issues between India and China.
• It was set up through an India-China agreement in 2012. It emerged as a response to the need for improved institutionalised information exchange regarding border matters.
• The idea for such a mechanism was first suggested by Wen Jiabao, the then Premier of China, in 2010.

Composition and Function

• The WMCC includes representatives from both countries’ Foreign and Defence Ministries.
• Its primary objectives are to address border problems, enhance communication, and promote cooperation.
• Specifically, the WMCC focuses on the India-China border areas, where tensions and disputes have historically existed.

WMCC on India-China Border Affairs

• It was activated after the face-off on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) began in 2020.
• The discussion was ‘in-depth, constructive and forward-looking’, and both sides agreed to maintain the momentum through established diplomatic and military channels.
• The talks come amid indications that the two countries are making efforts to resolve the stand-off along the LAC in eastern Ladakh.

Line of Actual Control (LAC) – The LAC is the demarcation that separates Indian-controlled territory from Chinese-controlled territory. – India considers the LAC to be 3,488 km long, while the Chinese consider it to be only around 2,000 km. It is divided into three sectors: 1.  the eastern sector which spans Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim; 2. the middle sector in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh,and; 3. the western sector in Ladakh.LAC in the eastern sector consisting of Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim is called the McMahon Line which is 1,140 km long. Major friction points along the India-China border – Depsang Plains: This area is located in the northernmost part of Ladakh and has seen incursions by Chinese troops in the past. – Demchok: This area is located in eastern Ladakh and has seen disputes over the boundary between India and China. – Pangong Lake: This area has been a major flashpoint between the two countries, with Chinese troops attempting to change the status quo on the LAC in the region. – Gogra and Hot Springs: These two areas are located in eastern Ladakh and have seen standoffs between Indian and Chinese troops in recent years. – Arunachal Pradesh: This northeastern Indian state is claimed by China as part of its territory and has been a major point of contention between the two countries. How is the LAC different from the Line of Control with Pakistan? – The LoC emerged from the 1948 ceasefire line negotiated by the UN after the Kashmir War. – It was designated as the LoC in 1972, following the Shimla Agreement between the two countries. It is delineated on a map signed by DGMOs of both armies and has the international sanctity of a legal agreement. – The LAC, is only a concept and it is not agreed upon by the two countries, neither delineated on a map or demarcated on the ground.

Importance of Peace for India and China

• Economic cooperation: India and China are two of the world’s largest and fastest-growing economies and improved relations can help to increase trade and investment.
• Regional stability: India and China are two major powers in Asia, and their relations have a significant impact on regional stability.
• Border security: A peaceful relationship between the two countries is essential to maintain border security and avoid any conflicts or misunderstandings along the border.
• Geopolitics: India and China are both major players in the global geopolitical landscape whose peaceful co-existence is essential to create a more stable and predictable international environment.

Challenges in Peace Process

• Military Build-up: The military build-up by both countries along the border has increased tensions and made the peace process more challenging.
• Historical Issues: Historical issues, including the 1962 Sino-Indian War, continue to affect relations between the two countries.
• Border Disputes: Despite several rounds of talks, the two sides have not been able to reach a lasting solution to the border dispute especially along the LAC.

Way Ahead

• India-China peace process requires sustained efforts from both sides to address these challenges and build mutual trust and understanding.
• There is a need to continue discussions through military and diplomatic channels and to actively implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries to further stabilise the border situation.
• Overall, peace between India and China is essential for the economic, political, and strategic interests of both countries, as well as for regional and global stability.

Source: TH