March 25th 2025.
On Tuesday, India and China held their 33rd meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs in Beijing. The purpose of the meeting was to comprehensively review the situation along the Line of Actual Control in the India-China border areas and discuss the early resumption of cross-border cooperation, including on trans-border rivers and the Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra.
The Indian delegation, led by Joint Secretary Gourangalal Das from the Ministry of External Affairs, met with the Chinese delegation, headed by Director General Hong Liang from the Boundary and Oceanic Affairs Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The meeting took place in a positive and constructive atmosphere, as stated by the Ministry of External Affairs.
Both sides emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and tranquility on the border for the smooth development of overall bilateral relations. They discussed various measures and proposals to implement the decisions made during the 23rd meeting of the Special Representatives on the India-China boundary question in Beijing in December 2024. They also focused on advancing effective border management.
The two sides agreed to maintain and strengthen relevant diplomatic and military mechanisms to achieve these goals. They also exchanged views on the early resumption of cross-border cooperation and exchanges, including on trans-border rivers and the Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra.
During the meeting, both countries made plans to prepare for the next meeting of the Special Representatives, which will take place in India later this year. The Indian delegation leader also had the opportunity to meet with China's Assistant Foreign Minister Hong Lei.
In January, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visited Beijing for a meeting of the Foreign Secretary-Vice Foreign Minister mechanism between the two countries. Following this, India and China announced their decision to resume the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in the summer of 2025.
The purpose of the meeting was to review the state of India-China bilateral relations, as agreed upon by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping during their meeting in Kazan last October. During their discussions, Foreign Secretary Misri and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong agreed to take certain steps to stabilize and rebuild ties with a focus on the well-being of the people.
Both sides also agreed, in principle, to resume direct air services between the two countries. The relevant technical authorities from both sides will negotiate an updated framework for this purpose at an early date. This meeting marks a step forward in the efforts of India and China to improve their relationship and strengthen cooperation.
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