India, China hold in-person border talks after 3 years.

February 24, 2023

For the first time since the India-China border stand-off began in 2020, India visited Beijing for the 26th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC).
Both sides discussed proposals for disengaging in remaining friction areas along Line of Actual Control (LAC) to create conditions to restore normalcy in relations.
Border between India and China is not clearly demarcated throughout and there is no mutually agreed LAC.
- LAC is divided into three sectors: Western, Middle and Eastern.
  - Boundary dispute in Western Sector (Ladakh) pertains to Johnson Line proposed British in 1860s.
  - In Middle Sector (Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand), dispute is a minor one. Both have exchanged maps on which they broadly agree.
  - Disputed boundary in Eastern Sector (Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim) is over McMahon Line (in Arunachal Pradesh) decided in 1914.
- A series of agreements signed to address disputes arising over LAC:
  - 1993 Agreement on Maintenance of Peace and Tranquility along the LAC.
  - 1996 Agreement on Confidence-Building Measures in the Military Field Along the LAC.
  - 2005 Protocol on Modalities for Implementation of Confidence-Building Measures in Military Field Along LAC.
  - 2012 Agreement on Establishment of a Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs.
  - 2013 Border Defence Cooperation Agreement.