India and China have decided to take significant steps to enhance cross-border cooperation, including the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, data sharing on trans-border rivers, and border trade. This agreement came during National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval’s visit to Beijing on Wednesday. The decision followed the 23rd meeting of the Special Representatives (SRs) of both countries, which focused on ensuring peace and stability along their shared borders.
Resumption of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and Border Cooperation
The meeting, attended by NSA Doval and Wang Yi, China’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, was the first such meeting since tensions rose in the Western Sector of the India-China border in 2020. The two representatives met after a decision taken during a recent meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Kazan. The two leaders had agreed to chart a course for future meetings to address border management, and to find a fair, reasonable, and mutually acceptable solution to the boundary issue.
The SRs reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace and tranquility in the border areas, which is vital for the overall development of the India-China bilateral relationship. They discussed various measures to ensure peaceful conditions and prevent issues on the border from hindering normal bilateral relations. The representatives also expressed their commitment to advancing effective border management and agreed to coordinate the relevant diplomatic and military mechanisms.
Focus on Bilateral, Regional, and Global Cooperation
In the meeting, both parties agreed on the significance of stable and amicable relations between India and China for regional and global peace and prosperity. They also positively affirmed the successful implementation of the latest disengagement agreement, which was signed in October 2024, allowing for patrolling and grazing in the relevant areas.
Further, the SRs discussed the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, which had been suspended due to the border tensions in previous years. The Yatra is an important pilgrimage for Hindus and a symbol of India-China cultural exchange. They also emphasized the need for data sharing on trans-border rivers, which are essential for managing water resources effectively. In addition, the two representatives agreed to strengthen border trade as part of broader cross-border cooperation.
NSA Doval also extended an invitation to Wang Yi to visit India for the next round of SR meetings, which will further advance the dialogue between the two countries. In addition to the SR meeting, NSA Doval also met with China’s Vice President Han Zheng during his visit to Beijing. This visit marks an important step toward improving bilateral relations between India and China, ensuring that the path forward is one of mutual respect, understanding, and peaceful coexistence.
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