Kathmandu— The 25th round of talks between China and India’s special representatives regarding the long-standing boundary question concluded Tuesday in Beijing with an eight-point consensus, according to a statement from the Chinese Foreign Ministry. Wang Yi, China's Special Representative and Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, and Ajit Doval, India’s National Security Advisor, engaged in candid discussions focused on maintaining peace along the border and pursuing a mutually acceptable resolution to the boundary dispute.

Commitment to Dialogue and Border Peace

Both China and India reaffirmed their commitment to adhering to guidance from their respective leaders, prioritizing peace and tranquility in border areas, and fostering an environment conducive to healthy bilateral relations. The talks emphasized a continued dedication to negotiations on establishing a framework for resolving the boundary question, building upon agreements made in 2005 and subsequent discussions between special representatives.

Advancing Boundary Delimitation

The two sides agreed to push forward with discussions on early and substantial progress regarding boundary delimitation through the Expert Group on Boundary Delimitation and the Working Group on Border Management, both operating under the framework of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on China-India Border Affairs. A key initial step will be agreeing upon terms of reference for each group.

Enhanced Border Management Mechanisms

To address immediate issues and prevent misunderstandings along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), both nations committed to utilizing existing diplomatic and military channels, including the WMCC and local commander-level meetings. Discussions also focused on improving understanding of the LAC in specific areas for better border management. Furthermore, two additional meeting points were agreed upon for the General Level Mechanism/Senior Highest Military Commander meeting, along with two new border military hotlines in the Eastern and Middle Sectors.

Cooperation on Trans-Border Issues

Progress on trans-border cooperation was also noted, with India acknowledging China’s efforts to increase access for Indian pilgrims to Mount Gang Renpoche and Lake Mapam Yun Tso in the Xizang Autonomous Region. The reopening of three designated border trading points was welcomed, and both sides agreed to strengthen exchanges and collaboration in areas such as border trade and pilgrimage.

Future Meetings and River Data Sharing

The two countries committed to holding the next meeting of the China-India Expert-Level Mechanism on Trans-border Rivers in September, continuing communication regarding hydrological data sharing and renewal of relevant memoranda of understanding. They also agreed to convene the 26th Round of SR Talks in India in 2027.

The consensus reached during these talks represents a continued effort by both China and India to manage their complex border dispute through dialogue and cooperation, with future meetings planned to further address outstanding issues.

(With inputs from Xinhua)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.