India China reach consensus over resumption of Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage, other key issues

PTC News Desk: India and China have reached a consensus over resuming the Indian pilgrim's pilgrimage  Kailash Mansarovar Yatra after years of border standoff. Both sides have also emphasised on the measures to promote and maintain peace with special mention to cross-border river cooperation and Nathula border trade.

In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, “The SRs [special representatives] reiterated the importance of maintaining a political perspective of the overall bilateral relationship while seeking a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable framework for settlement of the boundary question, and resolved to inject more vitality into this process.”

In a press release, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, “On December 18, 2024, the 23rd meeting of the Special Representatives on the China-India Boundary Question was held in Beijing. This was the first meeting between the two sides in five years.”

During the meeting, talks were held on maintaining peace and tranquillity along the border and strengthening mechanisms for diplomatic and military negotiations, with plans for a follow-up meeting in India next year.

“Based on the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries in the Kazan meeting, Chinese Special Representative, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the Central Foreign Affairs Office Wang Yi and Indian Special Representative and National Security Advisor Doval held substantive discussions on the China-India border issue in a positive and constructive manner and reached six consensuses,” the release added.

According to the reports, NSA Ajit Doval has invited Wang Yi to visit India to hold the next round of special representatives in India next year.