India-China Border Talks: Fresh Round Ends with Promise of Ongoing Dialogue

India-China Border Talks Signal Focus on Stability and Diplomatic Engagement Amid Rising Global Attention

In a move to strengthen regional peace, India and China have decided to continue engagement through active diplomatic and military-level talks. The two nations continue the process of addressing the long-standing dispute and normalizing ties after a prolonged face-off on the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Indian and Chinese military commanders have agreed to use existing mechanisms to resolve any ground issues along the border to maintain stability.

India-China Border Control Agreement

Corps commanders of India and China met for their 23rd round of talks at the Chushul-Moldo border meeting point on October 25, according to a readout issued by the external affairs ministry.

This was the first meeting between the commanders since the two sides reached an understanding in October 2024 to end the standoff in the Ladakh sector of the LAC.

“Both sides agreed to continue to use existing mechanisms to resolve any ground issues along the border to maintain stability,” the readout said.

This was also the first meeting of the mechanism involving army generals in the Western Sector since talks on August 19 between the Special Representatives on the border issue, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

“Both sides shared the view that peace and tranquillity have been maintained in the India-China border areas”, the readout noted.

A statement issued by China’s defence ministry in Beijing said the two sides engaged in “active and in-depth communication on the management of the western section” of the India-China border.

The two sides “agreed to continue communication and dialogue through military and diplomatic channels under the guidance of the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, and jointly safeguard peace and tranquillity” in the border areas, according to the statement.

LAC Peace Talks

India and China reached an understanding on October 21, 2024, on the “disengagement of frontline forces at the friction points of Demchok and Depsang,” to end the military face-off in the Ladakh sector of the LAC, which started in April-May 2020. 

The face-off in Galwan Valley killed 20 Indian soldiers and at least four Chinese troops, taking bilateral ties to their lowest point in six decades.

Two days after the agreement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in the Russian city of Kazan. According to reports, the leaders agreed to revive several mechanisms, such as talks between the Special Representatives, to address the border issue and normalize relations.

Efforts to Revive Peace

Since the meeting, the two sides have revived the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and resumed direct flights after a gap of five years. 

India has also restarted tourist visa approval for Chinese nationals and taken up its concerns about export restrictions on rare earths, fertilizers, and heavy machinery with China.

Despite the disengagement, both sides have continued to deploy thousands of troops each in the Ladakh sector. However, there have been no signs of forward movement. As both nations navigate global geopolitical shifts, continued engagement could help reduce uncertainty, boost regional cooperation, and maintain a delicate balance of power across the Indo-Pacific.