India and China have made fresh progress in efforts to manage their long-standing boundary dispute, with the two countries reaching an eight-point consensus during the 25th round of Special Representatives’ talks in Beijing.
The talks were held between India’s Special Representative and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and China’s Special Representative Wang Yi. The discussions focused on maintaining peace and tranquillity along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), strengthening border management mechanisms and advancing negotiations on the boundary question.
A major outcome of the meeting was an agreement to move forward with discussions on an “Early and Substantial Harvest” related to boundary delimitation and border management. The Expert Group on Boundary Delimitation and the Working Group on Border Management will take forward these discussions under the existing India-China mechanisms.
Both sides also reaffirmed their commitment to finding a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable settlement of the boundary issue, guided by the 2005 Agreement on Political Parameters and Guiding Principles and the understandings reached during earlier Special Representatives’ meetings.
The latest consensus also places emphasis on strengthening communication between the two militaries. India and China agreed to establish two additional meeting points for military-level engagements and create two new border military hotline channels in the Eastern and Middle Sectors.
The new communication mechanisms are aimed at improving coordination between military authorities and helping address developments along the LAC more efficiently. Enhanced communication is expected to reduce the risk of misunderstandings and contribute to maintaining stability in sensitive border areas.
The two sides also discussed improving their understanding of the LAC in appropriate areas and strengthening cooperation on trans-border issues. Discussions on trans-border rivers are expected to continue, with the next meeting of the India-China Expert-Level Mechanism on Trans-border Rivers scheduled for September.
Progress was also noted in areas including the Kailash-Manasarovar Yatra and the reopening of three designated border trading points. India and China agreed to continue cooperation in border trade, pilgrimage and other areas.
The 25th round of Special Representatives’ talks comes amid continuing efforts by New Delhi and Beijing to stabilise bilateral relations following years of tensions along the LAC. While the latest agreement does not settle the underlying boundary dispute, the eight-point consensus provides additional mechanisms for communication, border management and continued diplomatic engagement.
The next round of Special Representatives’ talks is expected to be held in India in 2027, giving both countries another opportunity to advance discussions on the boundary question and broader bilateral relations.