By Aroonim Bhuyan
New Delhi, Aug 26. India and China have agreed on a series of measures to strengthen border management, improve communication along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and advance discussions towards a framework for resolving their long-running boundary dispute.
The agreements were reached during the 25th round of talks between the Special Representatives (SRs) of India and China, held in Beijing on August 25. National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, India’s Special Representative, and Wang Yi, China’s Special Representative and Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, held what the two sides described as detailed discussions on the boundary question.
The two countries reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining peace and tranquillity in border areas and creating conditions conducive to the stable development of bilateral relations, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs on August 26. They also agreed to continue negotiations for a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable settlement of the boundary question in accordance with the 2005 Agreement on Political Parameters and Guiding Principles and understandings reached during subsequent Special Representatives meetings.
New mechanisms for border management
As part of efforts to advance discussions on the boundary, the Expert Group on Boundary Delimitation and the Working Group on Border Management under the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) will take forward talks on what the two sides termed an “Early and Substantial Harvest” in boundary delimitation and border management.
The first priority for both groups will be to finalise their respective terms of reference.
India and China also agreed that developments on the ground should be dealt with promptly through established diplomatic and military channels. These include the WMCC, meetings between local military commanders and other agreed mechanisms, with the aim of resolving outstanding issues and preventing misunderstandings or miscalculations along the LAC.
The two sides also discussed measures to improve their understanding of the LAC in relevant areas as part of efforts to strengthen border management.
Additional military communication channels
In a move aimed at improving communication between the two militaries, the countries agreed to establish two additional meeting points for General Level Mechanism/Senior Highest Military Commander-level meetings.
They also agreed to set up two additional military hotline channels in the Eastern and Middle Sectors of the border.
The new communication mechanisms are intended to provide additional avenues for timely engagement and help address situations that could otherwise lead to tensions or miscalculation along the LAC.
Kailash-Manasarovar Yatra and border trade
The two sides also reviewed progress in trans-border cooperation. India welcomed China’s efforts to increase the number of batches for the Kailash-Manasarovar Yatra through the Tibet Autonomous Region.
Both sides also noted the reopening of three designated border trading points and agreed to expand cooperation in areas including border trade and pilgrimage.
The countries said they would work towards creating a border environment based on dialogue, peace, consultation and cooperation.
Talks on trans-border rivers
India and China further agreed to convene the next meeting of their Expert-Level Mechanism on Trans-border Rivers in September.
The two sides will continue discussions on issues including hydrological data sharing and the renewal of relevant memorandums of understanding, areas that have remained important in their broader engagement over shared river systems.
The 25th round of talks concluded with an agreement to hold the 26th round of Special Representatives talks in India in 2027, signalling continued engagement on the boundary issue despite the complexity of reaching a final settlement.
