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The expert group will operate under the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs
NSA Ajit Doval with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during a meeting in New Delhi. (PTI photo)
In a significant diplomatic development, India and China on Tuesday agreed to establish an expert group tasked with exploring early solutions for boundary delimitation.
The decision was made during the 24th round of Special Representatives’ talks, co-chaired by National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
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The expert group will operate under the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC). Its primary role will be to identify early outcomes and work towards clarifying and resolving parts of the longstanding border dispute between the two countries.
In a press note, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated, “Setting up a Working Group, under the WMCC, to advance effective border management in order to maintain peace and tranquillity in India-China border areas.”
Both sides emphasised the importance of adhering to a “fair, reasonable, and mutually accepted framework,” in accordance with the 2005 Agreement on Political Parameters and Guiding Principles for the Settlement of the India-China Boundary Question.
In addition to the expert group, the two nations agreed to strengthen border management by creating general-level mechanisms in the eastern and middle sectors, complementing the existing mechanism in the western sector.
Key Agreements On Border Issue
- Establishment of an Expert Group under the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) to explore early outcomes in boundary delimitation.
- Creation of a Working Group under WMCC to improve day-to-day border management.
- Expansion of general-level military communication mechanisms to include the eastern and middle sectors, alongside the existing western sector.
- Use of military and diplomatic channels to discuss de-escalation and maintain calm on the border.
Both sides agreed to continue using existing communication and crisis management mechanisms, with plans to hold the next round of talks in China at a “mutually convenient time”.
Additional Agreements On Bilateral Cooperation
In a meeting with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, both countries held positive and constructive discussions on bilateral, regional, and international issues of common interest. They agreed on several practical steps to enhance people-to-people and economic engagement.
Flight Resumption And Pilgrimage Access
India and China agreed to resume direct commercial flights between the two countries at the earliest opportunity. Work will begin on updating the Air Services Agreement, and visa procedures will be eased for tourists, businesspersons, journalists, and other visitors.
Notably, China committed to continuing to allow Indian pilgrims to travel to Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar in Tibet from 2026, with plans to expand the scale of the pilgrimage.
Hydrology And River Cooperation
The two sides exchanged views on cooperation over trans-border rivers. China agreed to share hydrological data during emergencies on humanitarian grounds. Dialogue will continue through the Expert Level Mechanism on Trans-border Rivers.
Wang Yi’s visit comes ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s expected trip to China to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin from August 31 to September 1.
Relations between India and China had deteriorated following Chinese military actions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, which triggered a standoff beginning in April-May 2020. While some easing has occurred through troop disengagement at key friction points, tensions have persisted.
Ahead of the 2024 BRICS Summit, both countries agreed on patrolling arrangements along the LAC in eastern Ladakh, marking progress in easing tensions. In recent months, further steps have been taken to improve ties, with India stressing the importance of de-escalation along the LAC.
(With inputs from agencies)
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The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d… Read More
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