India and China Agree to Pursue Political Settlement of Boundary Question
- MGMMTeam
- 15 hours ago
- 4 min read
India and China have agreed to continue working towards a political settlement of their long-standing boundary dispute. The understanding was reached during the 25th round of Special Representatives talks held in Beijing between National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
The Ministry of External Affairs said the two sides held a candid and in-depth exchange of views on the boundary question and decided to pursue a settlement in the context of their overall and long-term interests. The discussions also covered boundary delimitation, border management, institutional mechanisms and cross-border cooperation.
Peace Along the Border as the Foundation of Ties
India emphasised that maintaining peace and tranquillity along the Line of Actual Control remains essential for the continued development of bilateral relations. Doval told his Chinese counterpart that the gradual return of normalcy in ties had been a direct result of both sides upholding calm in the border areas.
He described the latest round of talks as particularly significant in the run-up to the forthcoming BRICS summit. Referring to the meetings between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping in Kazan and Tianjin, Doval said the two leaders had given clear and positive direction to the relationship.
Review of Progress and People-to-People Exchanges
The two Special Representatives reviewed progress in implementing the consensus reached by the leaders of both countries. They expressed satisfaction at the steady resumption of people-to-people and cross-border exchanges, including the ongoing Kailash Manasarovar Yatra and the restoration of traditional border trade through the three designated passes. These steps, officials noted, have brought tangible benefits, especially for communities living in the border regions.
The Indian Embassy in Beijing said the two sides positively reviewed the momentum in bilateral relations and discussed ways to expand cooperation while ensuring stability and peace along the frontier.
Meeting with Chinese Vice-President
Ahead of the formal boundary talks, Doval called on Chinese Vice-President Han Zheng. The two discussed measures to strengthen peace and tranquillity in the border areas and to improve relations across economic, political and multilateral forums in accordance with the consensus of the two leaders. Han was quoted as saying that China and India should approach their relationship from a strategic and long-term perspective and work together to implement the important understandings reached at the highest level.
Chinese Perspective and Future Engagement
Wang Yi said the China-India relationship had acquired global and strategic significance beyond the bilateral sphere. He called for greater communication, enhanced mutual trust and efforts to remove obstacles so that the two countries could be good neighbours and partners contributing to each other’s success. China’s readout reaffirmed the commitment to seeking a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable package solution through dialogue and consultation, in line with the political parameters and guiding principles agreed in 2005.
The two sides agreed that the 26th round of Special Representatives talks would be held in India in 2027.
Context of Gradual Normalisation
The Special Representatives mechanism was established in 2003 to comprehensively address the India-China border dispute, which spans approximately 3,488 km. While a final resolution has remained elusive, both sides regard the structured process as a useful channel for managing differences and reducing tensions.
Doval’s two-day visit forms part of ongoing efforts to rebuild relations that came under severe strain after the Galwan Valley clashes in 2020. Ties have gradually improved following high-level engagements between the two leaders, even as careful management of the border situation continues. The latest talks also took place against the backdrop of reported military activity along sections of the Line of Actual Control and ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s expected presence in India for the BRICS summit.
The MGMM Outlook
India and China have reaffirmed their commitment to finding a political settlement to their long-standing boundary dispute while maintaining peace and stability along the Line of Actual Control. The 25th round of Special Representatives talks between National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi highlighted the importance of dialogue, effective border management and continued communication. India has consistently maintained that peace and tranquillity along the border are essential for the broader improvement of bilateral relations, and the gradual restoration of exchanges shows that both sides are seeking a more stable relationship.
The latest discussions also indicate that India-China ties are entering a phase of cautious engagement, with progress in people-to-people exchanges, the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra and traditional border trade providing practical signs of normalisation. At the same time, the boundary issue remains complex and requires sustained diplomatic engagement. The decision to hold the 26th round of talks in India in 2027 keeps the Special Representatives mechanism active and provides another opportunity to address outstanding concerns. With both countries recognising the wider strategic importance of their relationship, continued adherence to border agreements, regular high-level communication and gradual expansion of cooperation can help preserve stability while the two sides work towards a mutually acceptable long-term resolution.
(Sources: NDTV, Times of India, The New Indian Express)
Comments