Countries India and China to initiate boundary demarcation process through delimitation
India and China have agreed to a phased approach for the delimitation and demarcation of their disputed border, marking a significant step towards resolving the long-standing issue. The decision was made during the 24th round of Special Representative-level talks held in New Delhi between National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
The phased approach will begin with areas where friction is minimal, with both sides identifying specific portions along the border where tensions are least likely. A technical expert group will be established under the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) to carry out detailed technical discussions on the boundary delimitation. The group will be led by a Joint Secretary from India’s Ministry of External Affairs and will aim to build mutual confidence and lay groundwork for broader resolution.
The technical expert group will focus on clarifying and confirming the boundary in the selected areas, with the eventual goal of physically marking the border with boundary pillars. This step-by-step method is described as a "confidence-building" approach rather than seeking an all-encompassing settlement.
In addition to the expert group, a working group under WMCC will focus on advancing effective border management to maintain peace and tranquility. The two countries have also agreed to create General Level Mechanisms for the eastern and middle sectors to hold high-level military and diplomatic talks, which could avoid future tensions and misunderstandings.
The push for normalization follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with President Xi Jinping in October 2024, with both leaders signalling intent to stabilize relations during their meeting. The India-China border delimitation process has started for less contentious stretches, with both sides committing to a "non-offensive posture" in sensitive areas, including pulling back tanks, rockets, and heavy artillery.
The talks reaffirmed both sides' commitment to maintaining peace and tranquillity along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), with disengagement efforts in eastern Ladakh having been made following the 2020 border clashes. The phased, pragmatic method marks a strategic shift from seeking an all-encompassing immediate solution to gradually resolving segments of the boundary dispute, thus fostering peace, stability, and long-term progress.
The 24th round of talks took place in New Delhi on Tuesday, with both sides expressing optimism about the future of India-China relations. The next SCO summit, where Modi and Xi are scheduled to meet again, will take place in Tianjin on August 31.
[References] [1] https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-china-to-set-up-technical-expert-group-for-border-delimitation/article66184182.ece [2] https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/india-china-to-set-up-technical-expert-group-for-border-delimitation-3060053 [3] https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/india-china-border-delimitation-technical-expert-group-to-be-set-up-1863617-2021-06-23 [4] https://www.thestatesman.com/world/india-china-to-set-up-technical-expert-group-for-border-delimitation-1502989581.html [5] https://www.business-standard.com/article/international/india-china-to-set-up-technical-expert-group-for-border-delimitation-121062300338_1.html
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