India and China have agreed on a series of measures to improve border management, maintain peace along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and advance negotiations for a settlement of the boundary question, following talks between National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing.
The 25th round of talks between the Special Representatives (SRs) of India and China on the boundary question was held on August 25. Doval, India’s Special Representative, and Wang Yi, China’s Special Representative, held a “candid and in-depth” exchange of views and reached an eight-point consensus.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining peace and tranquillity in the border areas and creating conditions for the stable development of bilateral relations.
They also agreed to advance negotiations on a framework for resolving the boundary dispute in line with the 2005 Agreement on Political Parameters and Guiding Principles and subsequent understandings reached during the SR talks.
As part of the effort, the Expert Group on Boundary Delimitation and the Working Group on Border Management under the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) will begin discussions on an “early and substantial harvest” on boundary delimitation and border management. Their first task will be to finalise their respective terms of reference.
India and China also agreed that situations arising on the ground would be addressed promptly through existing diplomatic and military channels, including the WMCC and local commander-level meetings, to prevent misunderstandings and miscalculations along the LAC.
The two sides agreed to establish two additional meeting points for General-Level Mechanism/Senior Highest Military Commander meetings. They also agreed on two additional channels for military hotlines in the Eastern and Middle Sectors to improve communication between the two militaries.
Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, border trade
The two sides noted progress in trans-border cooperation. India welcomed China’s decision to increase the number of batches of Indian pilgrims undertaking the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in the Tibet Autonomous Region.
Both sides also welcomed the reopening of three designated border trading points and agreed to strengthen cooperation in border trade, pilgrimage and other areas.
They said the objective was to create an atmosphere of dialogue, peace, consultation and cooperation in the border areas.
India and China further agreed to hold the next meeting of the Expert-Level Mechanism on Trans-border Rivers in September and continue discussions on issues including hydrological data sharing and renewal of relevant memorandums of understanding.
The two sides also decided that the 26th round of Special Representatives’ talks will be held in India in 2027.
