It has been agreed that we will take step by step action, says MEA
India will work with China on the next steps to take forward cross-border exchanges, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Friday (December 20, 2024), days after top officials of both sides met in Beijing to discuss the border issue.

During the 23rd Meeting of the Special Representatives (SRs) on December 18, 2024, Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi discussed a wide range of topics, including the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, data sharing on trans-border rivers, and the revival of border trade. 

The MEA emphasised the “positive directions” provided by the discussions, which aim to restore peace and foster mutual cooperation.

“The discussions have gone into a positive direction. And thereafter, whatever else is required will be done to take these cross-border exchanges forward,” MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated in response to questions at the weekly media briefing on Friday.

A Path Toward De-escalation
The SRs talks—the first since the Galwan Valley clash of June 2020—came after an October 2024 agreement between India and China to disengage frontline forces in the Western Sector of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh. This agreement marked the resolution of the last two friction points—Demchok and Depsang—along the LAC. It followed several rounds of military and diplomatic negotiations and was a pivotal moment in reducing tensions between the two nations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping earlier agreed to revive bilateral mechanisms, including Special Representative meetings, during their interaction at the BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia on October 23, 2024. These mechanisms are intended to address the longstanding boundary dispute and lay the groundwork for normalized relations. The leaders met two days after both sides reached the agreement on disengagement. 

Resumption of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and Border Trade
One of the significant outcomes of the SRs meeting is the planned resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, a pilgrimage route that has been suspended since 2020 due to heightened tensions along the border. 

Additionally, discussions on resuming border trade signal a step toward economic cooperation. While trade relations between the two countries have been strained in recent years, the latest dialogue hints at a gradual normalisation process. Both sides agreed to adopt a step-by-step approach to expand economic ties.

Responding to a specific query on trade, Jaiswal said, “Regarding business relations, we have, since October, issued several Press Releases giving you a readout of all the meetings that have happened, including at the highest level, where it has been agreed that we will take step by step action. SR level talks have happened. Earlier in Kazan, the Prime Minister and President of China met and now we will take it forward with other meetings and thereafter we will see how things shape on these matters”.

Measures to Maintain Peace and Effective Border management
During their talks, the Special Representatives reaffirmed their commitment to a peaceful resolution of the boundary dispute based on the Political Parameters and Guiding Principles agreed upon in 2005. This framework underscores the importance of maintaining peace and tranquility along the LAC to enable the broader development of bilateral relations.

Both sides also reviewed issues of peaceful border management comprehensively. “Drawing on the learnings from the events of 2020, they discussed various measures to maintain peace and tranquillity on the border and advance effective border management. They decided to use, coordinate and guide the relevant diplomatic and military mechanisms towards this purpose,” the MEA stated after the SRs meeting.

India-China relations hit a low point in June 2020 following the Galwan Valley clash, which resulted in the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers and an unspecified number of Chinese troops. The incident led to the massing of troops along the LAC and a prolonged military standoff. Subsequent disengagement agreements were reached at Galwan Valley, Pangong Lake, Gogra, and Hot Springs, but Demchok and Depsang remained unresolved until October 2024.

In a recent statement to Parliament, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar highlighted the progress made since 2020, noting that bilateral ties are “headed for some improvement.” He emphasised the importance of maintaining peace along the border as a prerequisite for normalizing relations.

India and China have agreed to hold further meetings to sustain the momentum generated by the latest talks. NSA Doval extended an invitation to Foreign Minister Wang Yi to visit India for the next round of discussions. These efforts align with the broader objective of fostering stable, predictable, and amicable relations between the two nations.

The December 2024 talks between India and China mark a cautious yet significant step toward rebuilding trust and fostering cooperation. While challenges remain, the focus on cross-border exchanges, economic ties, and boundary management underscores a shared interest in promoting regional stability and prosperity. Both nations now face the task of translating these agreements into tangible outcomes that benefit their people and enhance bilateral relations.