India-China Border Affairs 2026: Assessing Progress Through The 35th WMCC Meeting

Policy Update

Simona Miriam Hughes

Background:

India and China’s relationship with each other has been in focus for several reasons. Both the countries have established economic cooperation and multilateral engagement with each other, but despite these engagements, both still face unresolved border disputes along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). 

The border disputes span from the Western, Eastern and the Middle sectors and are known to have caused several border clashes, one such example of the border clash is the 2020 Galwan Valley Clash. Since these clashes were causing instability in the countries’ relations, India and China decided to establish the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India – China border affairs (WMCC) in 2012, in an attempt to maintain peace and stability, discuss border management and facilitate communication between the two governments. 

Between 2023 and 2026, the WMCC meetings emerged as one of the most important channels for maintaining discussions especially after the Galwan valley clash. The 35th WMCC meeting was held in Beijing on 27 May 2026 and was co-chaired by the  Joint Secretary of East Asia, Sujit Ghosh and Director General Hou Yanqi. 

Functioning:

The WMCC functions as a coordination platform involving officials from foreign affairs, border management, defence and security agencies of both India and China. Its primary objectives include, maintaining peace along the LAC, addressing incidents through communication, supporting military level negotiations and facilitating implementation of agreements. 

Unlike military commander level talks, the WMCC operates mainly through diplomacy, and acts as a bridge connecting military discussions to political decision-making talks. The 35th WMCC covered several discussions such as Border Delimitation, Border management mechanisms, Institutional coordination, Cross-border cooperation, Preparations for the 25th Special Representatives meeting and India’s proposal for an early meeting of the expert level mechanism of Trans-border rivers. 

The meeting was described by both countries as constructive and forwardlooking, reflecting a significant shift from the crisis management tone observed during the immediate post Galwan Valley clash.

Performance:

Comparing the performance of the WMCC meetings from 2023 to present, several changes can be noted. 

The 2023 WMCC meetings focused mainly on reducing tensions and sustaining dialogue between prolonging military standoffs. The key characteristics included the Focus on the disengagement processes, Prevention of escalation and Restoration of Communication Channels. There was but one gap in the 2023 meeting. It did not focus more on broader bilateral cooperation. Very limited discussions took place on the same. Despite discussions, both countries’ continued to maintain troop deployments along the LAC, which therefore established a more cautious atmosphere. 

The 2024 WMCC meetings saw more gradual Diplomatic Progress. They also demonstrated greater optimism. Few of the developments included progress in addressing remaining friction points and enhanced coordination between military and diplomatic channels. Discussions also included implementing previously negotiated disengagement arrangements. The 31st meetings were known for its atmosphere being more peaceful and focused more on resolving pending issues and preparing conditions for broader stabilisation. 

The 2025 WMCC meetings showed a significant shift from crisis management to normalization. Key discussions that took place were mostly regarding resuming cross-border cooperation, focus on trans-border rivers etc. During the meeting, both sides agreed on the Consideration of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, a sacred pilgrimage to Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar in Tibet, that is mainly undertaken by Hindus, Buddhists and Jains. During the meetings, disengagement achievements especially in Depsang and Demchok were also reviewed. Border management mechanisms were further strengthened during the 2025 Special Representatives meeting. 

The 2026 WMCC meetings show more of a mature stage of normalization, since the Galwan crisis. 

The shift from discussions on troop disengagement toward border management, delimitation, and cross-border cooperation demonstrates a qualitative improvement in bilateral engagement. 

Impact:

The 35th WMCC meeting had several positive outcomes in total. Few of which was that both the countries’ governments had acknowledged that peace and tranquillity was maintained in border areas, therefore reducing the risk of unintended escalation and improving the predictability along the LAC. 

The meeting also gave rise to the evolution of the WMCC into a reliable and unique mechanism for engagement on a diplomatic level. This engagement therefore is set to act as a stage  for diplomatic talks, even during times of any crisis between both countries and especially during times of strategic competition. The meeting therefore institutionalized dialogue on a diplomatic level.

The meeting also brought in the importance of the Normalization of Bilateral Relations while linking Border Security to the same. This outcome is known to be one of the major reasons as to why this meeting is known as the “most mature” out of the rest as the focus of conversations and dialogues had now changed to include bilateral relations between both countries’, rather than only conversing on security concerns. 

One of the major outcomes of the meeting was the discussion regarding trans-border rivers. This discussion is considered important because it is the first time both countries’ have expressed their willingness in the revival of issue based cooperation rather than focusing only on border management. 

Successful border management is strategically significant for India as it helps in maintaining stability among Northern frontiers, reducing military pressure, enhancing regional connectivity prospects and greater diplomatic flexibility in the Indo-Pacific. 

Emerging Challenges: 

Despite significant improvements, several challenges remain unresolved. The most important challenge is the territorial disputes over small areas between the two countries. 

Another important and most visible challenge is the military deployments of the two countries along the LAC in sensitive sectors. This continuous military presence on the borders of both the countries are known to be the cause of continuous clashes in the trust of both the countries.

The 2020 clash also remains a prevalent issue between the two countries that continue to influence strategic competition. This issue is known to have been the cause for ongoing trust deficit between both countries.

It is also a known fact that both the countries are developing countries in terms of economy and industrialisation etc. In this case, rapid developments between the two countries are known to be the cause of future tensions. 

Way Forward:

The 35th WMCC Meeting demonstrates that India and China have moved beyond the most acute phase of the post-Galwan crisis. The evolution of discussions from disengagement and confrontation toward border management, delimitation, and cooperation reflects meaningful diplomatic progress.

However, normalization should not be mistaken for dispute resolution. The underlying boundary question remains unresolved, and strategic competition continues to shape bilateral relations.

Going forward, sustained engagement through the WMCC, Special Representatives framework, military dialogue mechanisms, and issue-specific cooperation platforms will be essential for preserving stability and preventing future crises. The 35th WMCC therefore represents not the conclusion of the border question, but an important milestone in rebuilding confidence and creating conditions for long-term peace along the India-China frontier. 

Selected References and Important Links:

Ministry of External Affairs. (2026). 35th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs. Government of India. https://www.mea.gov.in/press-releases.htm

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China. (2026). 35th WMCC meeting statement. Government of the People’s Republic of China. https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/ Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China. (2026). Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China. Government of the People’s Republic of China. https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/

Ministry of External Affairs. (2026). Ministry of External Affairs. Government of India. https://www.mea.gov.in/

About the Contributor:

Simona Miriam Hughes is a research and editorial associate intern at IMPRI. She is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in International Relations at Loyola College and has worked in several Non Governmental Organisations during her Undergraduate years. She has attended the 2025 Global Citizenship programme which is associated with the Washington DC university.

Reviewers: 

Vaishnavi Nandedkar and Riddhi Suthar

Disclaimer:

The content in the article belongs solely to the author and not exactly related to the organization.

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