India-China Talks

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The 23rd Special Representatives meeting marked progress in India-China relations amid past tensions.

The 23rd meeting of Special Representatives (SRs) of India and China between National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi marked a pivotal moment in restoring ties after a four-year gap. The SR process, focused on the 3,500-km Line of Actual Control (LAC) dispute, had been paused since the 2020 military standoff. This meeting signals India’s willingness to resume broader engagements with China beyond the LAC issue, including resuming the Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra, border trade in Sikkim, and data sharing on rivers. Other suspended activities, like direct flights, business, student visas, and journalist exchanges, were also discussed.

The talks produced six consensuses, emphasizing continued LAC de-escalation, strengthening Confidence Building Measures (CBMs), and enhancing bilateral coordination mechanisms. A follow-up meeting is planned for 2025 in India.

With 2025 marking 75 years of diplomatic ties and an anticipated visit by Prime Minister Modi to China during the SCO summit, the meeting signifies renewed momentum. However, transparency in future talks and avoiding the repeat of the 2020 standoff remain critical. The restoration of "status quo ante" and dismantling buffer zones are key steps in normalizing ties and ensuring border stability.