India and China to begin border delimitation with expert group for final demarcation

India and China have decided to begin the process of delimiting less contentious portions of their disputed boundary, a step seen as forward movement after years of stalled negotiations. The decision was reached during the 24th round of Special Representatives’ talks in New Delhi between National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

A technical expert group will be established under the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC). The group, headed by a senior official of the Ministry of External Affairs, will first identify areas with minimal friction along the boundary, followed by legal delimitation and eventual demarcation with physical pillars. This phased approach will allow the two sides to make incremental progress on the boundary settlement.

Both countries also discussed military disengagement measures. They agreed that their armies would maintain a non-offensive posture by withdrawing tanks, artillery, and rocket systems from sensitive areas, particularly in Eastern Ladakh. This follows the disengagement process that began after the May 2020 clashes. Officials said the step is aimed at ensuring that forces remain at a distance that reduces the possibility of escalation.

Beyond the boundary question, India and China agreed to resume direct flight connectivity, restore border trade through the Lipulekh Pass, Shipki La, and Nathu La, and facilitate pilgrimages by Indian citizens to Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar. They also committed to supporting each other in upcoming international engagements, including India hosting the 2026 BRICS Summit and China the 2027 edition.

The talks in New Delhi were preceded by discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Wang Yi. The next meeting between Prime Minister Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled for August 31 on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Tianjin, where further dialogue on the border issue and bilateral ties is expected.