India and China held a key meeting to improve their relationship and ensure peace along their border. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval from India and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, both Special Representatives, met on Wednesday. This was the first such meeting in five years. They focused on six important points to address border issues.
Rebuilding Relations After Tensions
The talks come after recent progress, including the disengagement and patrolling agreement in Ladakh on October 21. This follows a significant meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping at the BRICS summit in Kazan. The talks aim to ease tensions that rose after the violent clashes in Ladakh’s Galwan Valley.
Six Key Areas of Agreement
The discussions emphasized a political approach to resolving border issues and improving overall relations. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, both sides agreed on the need for a fair, reasonable, and mutually acceptable solution.
Here are the six points India and China agreed on:
- Cross-Border Tourism: Promoting tourism in regions like Tibet to boost cultural exchanges.
- Cross-Border River Cooperation: Improving cooperation on river management.
- Trade at Nathu La Border: Boosting trade between the two nations.
- Kailash Mansarovar Yatra: Resuming the important religious pilgrimage.
- Data Sharing on Trans-Border Rivers: Fostering environmental cooperation.
- Enhancing Border Trade: Strengthening economic ties.
Commitment to Progress and Stability
Both sides stressed the need to continue addressing border issues within the broader context of bilateral relations. They committed to working towards a fair resolution, based on the 2005 political guidelines.
India and China agreed to refine border management, improve confidence-building measures, and ensure long-term peace along the border. The Chinese Foreign Ministry also confirmed the importance of maintaining peace and tranquillity.
Strengthening Cooperation for the Future
The two countries agreed to strengthen the special representatives’ meeting mechanism. They will improve diplomatic and military coordination and direct the China-India Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on Border Affairs (WMCC) to implement decisions from the meeting.
Importantly, both sides decided to hold another round of talks in India next year, with the exact timing to be confirmed through diplomatic channels.
Stable Bilateral Relations for Global Peace
Beyond the border, the talks covered other bilateral, regional, and global issues. Both India and China agreed that a stable and cooperative relationship is essential for regional and global peace.
China’s Commitment to Working with India
Before the talks, China’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that it is ready to work with India. The goal is to restore stable bilateral relations quickly and implement the agreements reached between their leaders.
This meeting marks a significant step in improving ties between India and China. Both countries are committed to resolving issues and fostering peace for the future.