Wed Dec 18 16:44:25 UTC 2024: ## India and China Hold First Boundary Talks Since 2019, Agree on Border Peace
**Beijing, December 18, 2024** – National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held the first boundary talks between Special Representatives since 2019 in Beijing on Wednesday. The meeting, described as “substantive” by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, resulted in a stated commitment to maintain peace and tranquillity along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
Both sides “positively affirmed” the implementation of the October 2024 disengagement agreement in eastern Ladakh and emphasized the importance of learning from the 2020 border standoff. While the Chinese statement referred to a “six-point consensus,” the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) focused on similar points, including promoting exchanges in areas such as the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage and data sharing on trans-border rivers. The MEA also noted a commitment to finding a mutually acceptable solution to the boundary issue.
Although previous discussions included restoring journalist exchanges and direct flights, these topics were not explicitly mentioned in the post-meeting statements. However, a separate meeting between Mr. Doval and Chinese Vice President Han Zheng highlighted the need to revive economic, cultural, and trade exchanges.
The resumption of Special Representatives talks, initiated in 2003 to address the long-standing India-China border dispute, marks a significant step towards restoring diplomatic mechanisms stalled since 2020. Mr. Doval extended an invitation to Mr. Wang to visit New Delhi for the next round of talks. The meeting follows an October agreement to disengage at the final friction point along the LAC, paving the way for a meeting between Prime Ministers Modi and Xi Jinping. The positive outcome of the Beijing meeting suggests a thaw in relations, following years of tensions stemming from the 2020 border clashes.
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