India & China welcome border peace, Beijing seeks 'package solution'

Ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to India, both nations held the 25th round of Special Representatives Dialogue on the Boundary Question. The dialogue endorsed efforts to formalize the recent improvement in relations, with a focus on border peace, de-escalation, boundary demarcation, and border management. India's Special Representative Ajit Doval emphasized that both countries agreed to work towards a political settlement in the long-term interests of both nations.

However, Beijing also recalled a 2005 bilateral agreement, highlighting its proposal for a package solution to the boundary issue. Doval characterized India and China as partners, not competitors, underlining the significance of a stable, predictable, and forward-looking relationship for Asia and the world.

Wang Yi, China's Special Representative, reiterated China's stance that the boundary issue must be placed within the appropriate position in the broader relationship. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to the 2005 agreement and discussed advancing boundary demarcation negotiations, improving border management and control, and promoting cross-border cooperation.

China reportedly dropped the mention of a package settlement in its last round of talks but had used it regularly in earlier Special Representatives meetings. Indian governments have previously expressed interest in a final package settlement, but the current Indian government shifted the focus to a fair, reasonable, and mutually acceptable settlement framework.

The talks took place ahead of anticipated bilateral meetings between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping. These meetings are expected to occur during the SCO summit in Kyrgyzstan and the BRICS summit, which India will host on September 12-13. Xi is anticipated to arrive in India on September 12, where he will have a bilateral meeting with Modi and attend the PM's welcome dinner for BRICS leaders on the following day.

China expressed willingness to collaborate with India to address the boundary question and strengthen bilateral relations at a strategic and long-term level, aiming to foster good neighborly relations, friendship, and mutual enabling partnerships.