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The Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination (WMCC) on India-China Border Affairs, in its meeting on Friday, has decided to hold another interaction of the Senior Commanders soon to work out further steps to fast-track complete disengagement and de-escalation at Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Galwan valley and restoration of peace and tranquillity in the border areas. “They agreed that early and complete disengagement of the troops along the LAC and de-escalation from India-China border areas in accordance with bilateral agreement and protocols and full restoration of peace and tranquillity was essential for smooth overall development of bilateral relations,” according to an official release circulated by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
The Indian delegation was led by Joint Secretary (East Asia) from the MEA, while the Director General of the Boundary & Oceanic Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs led the Chinese delegation.
Senior Commanders’ meet
Both sides were of the view that it was necessary to sincerely implement the understandings reached between Senior Commanders in their meetings till date and then work out further steps based on what is decided by the Commanders in their next meeting. “The two sides agreed that another meeting of the Senior Commanders may be held soon so as to work out further steps to ensure expeditiously complete disengagement and de-escalation and restoration of peace and tranquillity in the border areas,” the release said. Senior Commanders from both sides last met on July 14.
“As we have stated earlier, the maintenance of peace and tranquillity in the border areas is the basis of our bilateral relationship. Therefore it is our expectation that the Chinese side will sincerely work with us for complete disengagement and de-escalation and full restoration of peace and tranquillity in the border areas at the earliest as agreed to by the special representatives,” said Anurag Srivastava, spokesperson, MEA, at a media briefing on Thursday.
Vande Bharat Mission
Giving an update on the status of the Vande Bharat Mission, launched by the government to bring back stranded Indians all over the world, Srivastava said that so far in phase-4, 1,197 flights (945 international flights and 252 feeder flights) have been scheduled. These are operated by the Air India Group, IndiGo, SpiceJet and GoAir from 29 countries to 34 airports in India.
Between July 22 and August 31, Air India will operate 30 flights a week to the US (New York, Chicago, Washington, New Jersey and San Francisco), four flights a week to Germany (Frankfurt) and three flights a week to France (Paris) under ‘bilateral bubbles’ established by the Ministry of Civil Aviation with some countries.
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