India, China agree to seek early resolution on boundary delimitation

New Delhi: India and China have made significant progress in their bilateral relations by agreeing to address the boundary dispute through the establishment of an expert group aimed at finding an early solution for boundary delimitation.
According to statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday the decision follows a meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister Ajit Doval, and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, which resulted in a commitment to resume direct flights and enhance Indian pilgrimage to Mt Kailash and Lake Manasarovar. The relationship between the two nations, which deteriorated after the 2020 Galwan clash and subsequent military standoff, has recently shown signs of improvement. This thaw in relations coincides with geopolitical tensions, including U.S. tariffs on India and confrontations between the U.S. and China over trade issues. Modi’s upcoming attendance at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in China further underscores the renewed diplomatic engagement. During the 24th round of Special Representative dialogue on the boundary question, both sides acknowledged the positive developments since the last talks and emphasized the importance of maintaining peace along the border to foster overall bilateral relations. They agreed to adopt a political perspective on their relationship while seeking a fair and mutually acceptable framework for resolving the boundary issue, in line with the 2005 Agreement on Political Parameters and Guiding Principles. The establishment of an Expert Group under the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) aims to facilitate early progress in boundary delimitation, which involves defining borders through legal and political means rather than physical markers. Additionally, a working group will be created for effective border management, and new General Level Mechanisms will be introduced in the Eastern and Middle Sectors, complementing the existing framework in the Western Sector. Discussions on de-escalation are also planned, indicating a comprehensive approach to improving border relations.