India, China Hold First Special Representatives Meeting in Five Years, Pledge Border Peace and Cooperation

BEIJING—India and China held the 23rd meeting of their Special Representatives (SRs) on the boundary question in Beijing on December 18, 2024—the first such meeting in five years. The meeting, attended by Chinese Special Representative Wang Yi and Indian Special Representative Ajit Doval, focused on maintaining peace and tranquility along the border and advancing cooperation.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to resuming the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, cross-border river cooperation, and Nathula border trade. They agreed on measures to strengthen diplomatic and military negotiation mechanisms, with a follow-up meeting planned for India next year.

The meeting built upon the consensus reached by Prime Ministers Modi and Xi Jinping in Kazan, focusing on managing peace and tranquility in border areas and exploring a mutually acceptable solution to the boundary question. Both sides positively assessed the implementation of the October 2024 disengagement agreement.

The SRs emphasized the importance of maintaining a broader political perspective on the bilateral relationship, agreed to refine border management and control rules, and strengthen confidence-building measures. They also exchanged views on bilateral, regional, and global issues of mutual interest. NSA Doval extended an invitation to Wang Yi to visit India for the next SR meeting. The meeting marks a significant step towards improved relations following border tensions in 2020.

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Vinay Karanam

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