The 23rd meeting of the Special Representatives (SRs) of India and China was held today in Beijing, marking a significant step in the ongoing efforts to manage bilateral relations and resolve outstanding issues. The meeting was attended by Shri Ajit Doval, India’s National Security Advisor, and Mr. Wang Yi, Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The meeting followed up on a decision made during the recent talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping in Kazan, where both leaders agreed on the need for early discussions between their Special Representatives to manage peace and tranquillity in border areas and seek a fair and mutually acceptable solution to the long-standing boundary dispute.
Maintaining Peace and Stability on the Border
A central focus of the discussions was the importance of maintaining peace and stability along the India-China border, particularly in the wake of tensions that surfaced in the Western Sector of the border in 2020. The SRs welcomed the progress made under the disengagement agreement reached in October 2024, which has enabled the resumption of patrolling and grazing in the relevant areas. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that border tensions do not hinder the broader development of bilateral relations.
“The SRs reiterated the need for a political perspective in the overall bilateral relationship, emphasizing that the resolution of the boundary question should be based on fairness, reasonableness, and mutual acceptability,” a statement released by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs noted.
The Special Representatives discussed the importance of further advancing border management practices and agreed to intensify coordination through diplomatic and military channels to maintain peaceful conditions on the ground.
Cross-Border Cooperation and Broader Issues
The SRs also exchanged views on a wide range of bilateral, regional, and global issues of mutual interest. In a positive step forward, both sides expressed support for cross-border cooperation, including the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, data sharing on trans-border rivers, and facilitating border trade. These initiatives are seen as important for deepening ties between the two countries and fostering goodwill.
Both SRs emphasized the importance of stable, predictable, and amicable India-China relations for ensuring peace and prosperity in the wider region and globally.
Future Engagements and Cooperation
During the visit, NSA Ajit Doval also called on H.E. Mr. Han Zheng, Vice President of the People’s Republic of China. Doval invited Mr. Wang Yi to visit India at a mutually convenient time to continue discussions and hold the next round of SR meetings.
The 23rd SR meeting marks an important milestone in the India-China relationship, which continues to evolve in the face of both challenges and opportunities. The reaffirmation of peace and mutual respect between the two nations signals a positive trajectory toward resolving key issues while strengthening broader bilateral cooperation.