India, China reiterated their commitment to explore a “fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable framework” for resolution of border dispute, says MEA spokesperson

In a press briefing on Friday, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that China and India have reiterated their intention to investigate a “fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable framework” for the resolution of the boundary dispute in line with the political parameters and guiding principles decided upon in 2005.

Jaiswal said that he could speak for the MEA news release and provide information on the six-point agreement that was struck between the two countries, despite China having brought it up.

Regarding the SR level discussions between China and India, he stated: “The SR level discussions took place on the 18th. We then issued our press release. You may get a sense of what was discussed from our news release. We can speak for our press release and provide you with information about the particular question of the six-point consensus.

That’s what we said in our news release, I believe. Both parties have reiterated their commitment to investigating a just, rational, and amicable framework for resolving the border dispute in line with the political boundaries and guiding principles agreed upon in 2005.

“This 2005 was also the subject of various inquiries. This material is accessible to the general public. You can find it on our website. Therefore, I would advise you to check into it. However, I kindly ask that you consult our press, which provides you with the specifics of the conversation that took place. In addition, he said, “The press release you referenced to contains information on the six-point consensus, which brings us to your question.

Maintaining peace and tranquility along the border was the major topic of discussion during the 23rd Meeting of the Special Representatives (SRs) of China and India, which took place in Beijing on Wednesday.

Ajit Doval, China’s National Security Advisor (NSA), and Wang Yi, China’s Foreign Minister and CPC Central Committee member, attended the meeting. In order to arrange the next round of SR meetings, Doval also requested Wang Yi to come to India at a time that works for both parties.

“The 23d Meeting of the Special Representatives (SRs) of India and China, respectively Ajit Doval, National Security Advisor of India, and Wang Yi, Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs, was held in Beijing on December 18, 2024,” the Ministry of External Affairs stated in a press announcement.

The MEA added that the SRs’ meeting followed the decision made at the recent meeting between President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Modi in Kazan to meet as soon as possible to discuss a fair, reasonable, and mutually agreeable solution to the boundary dispute and to supervise the management of peace and tranquillity in border areas.

The SRs also decided to give the process more energy and reaffirmed the significance of keeping a political view of the whole bilateral relationship while looking for a just, reasonable, and mutually agreeable framework for resolving the border dispute.

“In order to support the general growth of the India-China bilateral relationship, both SRs emphasized the need of preserving peace and tranquility in the border regions. In order to prevent border disputes from impeding the regular development of bilateral ties, they emphasized the need of maintaining calm circumstances on the ground.

They spoke about a number of ways to preserve border peace and tranquility and promote efficient border administration, drawing on the lessons learned from the 2020 events. In order to do this, they made the decision to use, coordinate, and direct the relevant military and diplomatic channels,” the MEA said.

Positive directions for cross-border cooperation and exchanges, such as the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, data sharing on trans-border rivers, and border trade, were also discussed during the meeting. The two officials also shared their opinions on bilateral, regional, and international issues of mutual interest. They also agreed that for regional and international peace and development, India-China ties must be steady, predictable, and cordial.

Notably, this was the first time the SRs had met since tensions had surfaced in 2020 along the India-China border in the Western Sector. The SRs firmly confirmed that the most recent disengagement agreement from October 2024 would be implemented, leading to grazing and patrolling in pertinent areas.