In a significant de-escalation of tensions, India and China announced a series of major agreements on border management and diplomatic re-engagement following a high-level visit by China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The outcomes, described as "positive and constructive," mark the most substantial progress in bilateral relations in recent years.
During the 24th round of Special Representatives' talks, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Minister Wang Yi agreed to establish new expert and working groups to explore "early harvest" in boundary delimitation and advance effective border management. Critically, they agreed to create new General Level Mechanisms for the eastern and middle sectors and to discuss de-escalation principles.
Beyond the border, the two nations unveiled a sweeping plan to normalize ties. Key agreements include the imminent resumption of direct flights, the reopening of three key border trading points (Lipulekh, Shipki La, and Nathu La), and a commitment to support each other's upcoming BRICS and SCO summits. They also pledged to facilitate visas and expand pilgrimage routes to Kailash-Manasarovar.
The talks, held under the "strategic guidance" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and China's leadership, emphasized that peace on the border is essential for the overall development of the relationship, signaling a potential new chapter in India-China relations.
Full text:
Visit of China's Foreign Minister and Special Representative on the India-China boundary question
August 19, 2025
At the invitation of the Special Representative and the National Security Advisor Shri Ajit Doval, the Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China Mr. Wang Yi paid an official visit to India from 18-19 August 2025.
During his visit, Minister Wang co-chaired the 24th round of the Special Representatives’ dialogue on the Boundary Question between India and China with the National Security Advisor, Shri Ajit Doval on 19 August 2025, and held bilateral talks with External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar on 18 August 2025. He also called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 19 August 2025.
The two sides spoke positively of the progress made in the implementation of the important leader-level consensus in Kazan. The two sides shared the view that peace & tranquility has been maintained in the India-China border areas since the 23rd SR Talks. They reiterated the importance of maintaining peace and tranquillity in the border areas to promote overall development of the India-China bilateral relationship.
Under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries and in a positive and constructive spirit, the two sides had a candid and in-depth exchange of views on India-China boundary question, and the two SRs agreed on the following:
1. The need to take a political perspective of the overall bilateral relationship while seeking a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable framework for settlement of the boundary question in accordance with the Agreement on Political Parameters and Guiding Principles for Settlement of the India-China Boundary Question signed in 2005.
2. Setting up an Expert Group, under the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC), to explore Early Harvest in boundary delimitation in the India-China border areas;
3. Setting up a Working Group, under the WMCC, to advance effective border management in order to maintain peace and tranquillity in India-China border areas
4. Creation of General Level Mechanisms in Eastern, and Middle Sectors, in addition to the existing General Level Mechanism in Western Sector, and holding an early meeting of the General Level Mechanism in the Western Sector.
5. Use the border management mechanisms at diplomatic and military levels to carry forward the process of border management, and discuss de-escalation, beginning with the principles and modalities thereof.
The two sides also agreed to hold the next round of the SR Talks in China at a mutually convenient time.
In the meeting with the External Affairs Minister, the two sides had positive, constructive and forward-looking discussions on bilateral, regional and international issues of common interest and agreed on the following understandings and outcomes/practical steps on people-centric and economic engagement:
1. Both sides underscored that the strategic guidance of the leaders of India and China plays an irreplaceable and crucial role in the development on India-China relations. They agreed that a stable, cooperative and forward-looking relationship between India and China is in the mutual interest of the two countries to realize their development potential fully. They further agreed that both sides should earnestly implement the important common understandings reached between the two leaders and promote sustained, sound and steady development of India-China relations.
2. Chinese side welcomed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s attendance at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit to be held in Tianjin. Indian side reaffirmed its full support to China’s SCO Presidency, and looked forward to a successful SCO Summit with fruitful outcomes.
3. Both sides agreed to support each other in hosting successful diplomatic events. Chinese side will support India in hosting the 2026 BRICS Summit. Indian side will support China in hosting the 2027 BRICS Summit.
4. Both sides agreed to explore and resume various official bilateral dialogue mechanisms and exchanges, to enhance cooperation and address each other’s concerns and properly manage differences, including holding the Third Meeting of the India-China High-level Mechanism on People-to-People Exchanges in India in 2026.
5. Both sides agreed to continue supporting each other in holding events in 2025 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and China.
6. Both sides agreed to resume direct flight connectivity between Chinese mainland and India at the earliest, and finalize an updated Air Services Agreement. They also agreed on the facilitation of visas to tourists, businesses, media and other visitors in both directions
7. Both sides agreed to continue and further expand the scale of the Indian pilgrimage to Mt. Kailash/ Gang Renpoche and Lake Manasarovar / Mapam Yun Tso in Tibet Autonomous Region of China starting 2026.
8. The two sides exchanged views on trans-border rivers cooperation and agreed to give full play to the role of India-China Expert Level Mechanism on Trans-border Rivers and keep communication on renewal of the relevant MoUs. The Chinese side agreed to share hydrological information during emergency situations based on humanitarian considerations.
9. Both sides agreed to the re-opening of border trade through the three designated trading points, namely Lipulekh Pass, Shipki La Pass and Nathu La Pass.
10. Both sides agreed to facilitate trade and investment flows between the two countries through concrete measures.
11. Both sides agreed to jointly maintain peace and tranquility in the border areas through friendly consultations.
12. Both sides agreed to uphold multilateralism, enhance communication major international and regional issues, maintain a rules-based multilateral trading system with WTO at its core, and promote a multipolar world, that safeguards the interest of developing countries.
New Delhi
August 19, 2025
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