Following the 23rd meeting of their Special Representatives, India and China reaffirmed their commitment to the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, cooperation on cross-border rivers, and trade through the Nathula border. Both nations emphasized the importance of measures to maintain peace and tranquility along their borders and to enhance diplomatic and military negotiation mechanisms, with plans for a follow-up meeting in India next year.
According to a press release from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the 23rd meeting of the Special Representatives regarding the China-India Boundary Question took place in Beijing on December 18, 2024, marking the first such meeting in five years.
The release highlighted that Chinese Special Representative Wang Yi and Indian National Security Advisor Doval engaged in substantive and constructive discussions concerning the border issue, resulting in six agreements.
The two sides expressed their commitment to enhancing cross-border exchanges and cooperation, which includes facilitating Indian pilgrims’ journeys to Tibet, collaborating on the management of cross-border rivers, and boosting trade at the Nathula border.
Both nations praised the progress made on border issues and emphasized the importance of continuing implementation efforts to ensure that these matters do not hinder the overall development of their bilateral relationship.
India and China reiterated their dedication to seeking a fair, reasonable, and mutually acceptable comprehensive solution to the boundary issue, guided by the principles agreed upon in a 2005 political framework. They also sought to take positive steps to advance this process.
The discussions included assessments of the border situation, agreeing to refine management and control measures, build confidence, and establish sustainable peace along the border, as noted by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Both countries recognized the need to strengthen the mechanism for Special Representatives meetings, enhance cooperation in diplomatic and military dialogues, and mandate the China-India Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on Border Affairs (WMCC) to implement the outcomes of this meeting.
Moreover, the two nations agreed to conduct another round of Special Representatives’ meetings in India next year, with the specific date to be determined via diplomatic channels. They also held extensive discussions on bilateral, international, and regional matters of mutual interest, highlighting the significance of a stable and reliable China-India relationship for global and regional peace and stability.
