India-China Relations Show Signs of Improvement
There are signs of improving relations between India and China. During National Security Advisor Ajit Doval’s visit to China, both countries agreed to resume the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage.
The six-point agreement also emphasized cooperation along the border and the exchange of data related to river systems. However, India reiterated its demand for a fair resolution to the border dispute.
Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi focused on positive discussions concerning the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage, sharing river-related data, and border cooperation.
However, the six-point consensus mentioned in the Chinese statement at the end of the talks was not included in the Indian Ministry of External Affairs’ (MEA) statement regarding the Special Representative (SR) level talks.
Ministry of External Affairs' Statement
The MEA stated that both sides emphasized the need to maintain a peaceful situation at the ground level to ensure that border issues do not disrupt the normal development of bilateral relations.
The Ministry highlighted that Doval and Wang Yi agreed on the importance of stable and cordial India-China relations for regional and global peace.
The decision to revive the Special Representatives’ (SR) dialogue mechanism was made during a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Kazan on October 23.
Just two days before this, India and China had reached an agreement for the withdrawal of troops in the Demchok and Depsang areas of Eastern Ladakh.
The MEA further mentioned that both sides reaffirmed the need for a fair, just, and mutually acceptable framework to resolve the border issue while maintaining the political perspective of the overall bilateral relationship. The SR talks took place after a gap of five years.
The last round of talks had been held in New Delhi in December 2019. India’s Special Representative is NSA Ajit Doval, while China is represented by Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
China’s Statement
According to the Chinese statement, Doval and Wang Yi had a meaningful discussion during the SR talks, which resulted in a six-point consensus.
This includes maintaining peace along the borders and taking steps to further promote the healthy and stable development of bilateral relations.
The Chinese statement noted that both sides gave a positive assessment of the solutions that have been found regarding border issues and reiterated that the implementation of these solutions should continue.
The statement emphasized that both officials believed that the border issue should be handled in the context of the overall state of bilateral relations so that it does not affect the growth of ties.
Both sides agreed to take steps to maintain peace and stability along the border and promote the healthy and stable development of bilateral relations.
They reiterated their commitment to finding a fair, just, and mutually acceptable solution to the border issue in accordance with the political guidelines agreed upon by both countries’ special representatives in 2005.
The statement further added that both countries agreed to assess the situation along the border and refine management and control mechanisms.
They also agreed to strengthen confidence-building measures and ensure permanent peace and stability along the border.
Additionally, they agreed to strengthen cross-border exchanges and cooperation, resume the pilgrimage to Kailash Mansarovar in Tibet, promote cross-border river cooperation, and enhance trade through the Nathu La border.
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs' statement also emphasized the need to strengthen the Special Representatives’ mechanism, improve coordination and cooperation in diplomatic and military talks, and ensure the effective functioning of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on China-India Border Affairs (WMCC) for the implementation of decisions made during the SR meeting.
Both sides agreed to hold the next round of SR talks in India next year, with the specific timing to be decided through diplomatic channels.
Ajit Doval's Meeting with Chinese Vice President
After the talks, Ajit Doval met with China’s Vice President Han Zheng. Doval also extended an invitation to Wang Yi to visit India for the next round of SR talks at a mutually convenient time.
The military standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh began in May 2020, followed by a deadly clash in the Galwan Valley in June of the same year, leading to serious tensions between the two neighboring countries.