Ten Points of Consensus for 24th Round of SR Talks on Boundary Question

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Country/entity: China
India
Region: Asia and Pacific
Agreement name: Ten Points of Consensus for 24th Round of SR Talks on Boundary Question
Date: 19 Aug 2025
Agreement status: Multiparty signed/agreed
Interim arrangement: Yes
Agreement/conflict level: Interstate/interstate conflict
Sino-Indian Border Dispute (1962 - )
There are two main areas that are disputed by China and India. These areas are largely unpopulated and are sparse with resources, but strategically important for both powers. Tensions mounted during the 1962 border war and 1986 skirmish. In the North-West there is the Aksai Chin plateau that is administered by China, but is claimed by India. Bordered by Tibet and Xinjiang, this border is approximately 685 miles long. The dispute in the Eastern sector on the tri-border area between India, China and Myanmar is largely due to a disagreement over the McMahon Line named after Sir Henry McMahon, the representative of the Indian Government to the Simla Conference of 1914. The line itself follows the watersheds of the Himalayas from Bhutan to Myanmar. China does not recognise the McMahon line, due to its original imperial context, and their claim runs along the foothills in Indian Territory. The area under dispute covers an area of 36,000 square miles. The Middle sector between Bhutan and Nepal is demarcated by the Himalayan watersheds. The border was confirmed in the British-Chinese Convention of 1890 and was undisputed until a brief standoff emerged in this sector in June 2017 on the Doklam plateau.
Since 2003 intensified efforts by the two powers have resulted in talks on the border issues handled by special representatives. However, the two sides continue to have differing opinions on the location of the 'Line of Actual Control' (LAC), which has led to incursions and military build-ups in 2009, 2013 and 2017.
Stage: Pre-negotiation/process
Conflict nature: Territory
Peace process: China-India border dispute peace process
Parties: China: H.E. Mr. Wang Yi, Special Representative of China, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs

India: H.E. Mr. Ajit Doval, Special Representative of India and National Security Advisor
Third parties: -
Description: This ten-point consensus emerges from the 24th round of Special Representative talks between China and India focused on their longstanding boundary dispute. The agreement establishes various working mechanisms including Expert Groups for boundary delimitation, Working Groups for border management, and General-Level Mechanisms across different border sectors. The consensus also addresses practical cooperation on trans-border rivers, reopening of traditional border trading markets, and maintaining peace and tranquility in border areas while working toward a comprehensive boundary settlement.

Agreement document: CN_IN_250819_Ten Points of Consensus for 24th Round of SR Talks on Boundary Question (opens in new tab) | Download PDF
Source of document: https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/wjbzhd/202508/t20250820_11692839.html

Groups

Children/youth: No specific mention.
Disabled persons: No specific mention.
Elderly/age: No specific mention.
Migrant workers: No specific mention.
Racial/ethnic/national group: No specific mention.
Religious groups: No specific mention.
Indigenous people: No specific mention.
Other groups: No specific mention.
Refugees/displaced persons: No specific mention.
Social class: No specific mention.

Gender

Women, girls and gender: No specific mention.
Men and boys: No specific mention.
LGBTI: No specific mention.
Family: No specific mention.

State definition

Nature of state (general): No specific mention.
State configuration: No specific mention.
Self determination: No specific mention.
Referendum: No specific mention.
State symbols: No specific mention.
Independence/secession: No specific mention.
Accession/unification: No specific mention.
Border delimitation: 3. Agreed on the need to take a political perspective of the overall bilateral relationship while seeking a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable framework for settlement of the boundary question in accordance with the Agreement on Political Parameters and Guiding Principles for Settlement of the China-India Boundary Question signed in 2005.
4. Agreed to set up an Expert Group, under the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on the China-India border affairs (WMCC) framework, to explore Early Harvest of boundary delimitation on appropriate Sectors.
Cross-border provision: 1.Spoke positively of the progress made in the implementation of the important leader-level consensus in Kazan, and shared the view that peace and tranquility has been maintained in the China-India border areas since the 23rd Round of SR Talks.
2.The two sides reiterated the importance of maintaining peace and tranquility in the border areas, emphasized handling the issue properly through friendly consultations, to promote overall development of the China-India bilateral relationship.
5. Agreed to set up a Working Group, under the WMCC framework, to advance effective border management in order to maintain peace and tranquility in the border areas.
7. Agreed to use the border management mechanisms at diplomatic and military levels to carry forward the process of border management, and discuss de-escalation, beginning with the principles and modalities thereof.
8. Exchanged views on trans-border rivers cooperation and agreed to give full play to the role of the China-India Expert Level Mechanism on Trans-border Rivers and keep communication on the renewal of relevant MoUs.
The Chinese side agreed to share hydrological information during emergency situations based on humanitarian considerations.
9. Agreed to re-open the three traditional border trading markets, namely Renqinggang-Changgu, Pulan-Gunji and Jiuba-Namgya.

Governance

Political institutions (new or reformed): No specific mention.
Elections: No specific mention.
Electoral commission: No specific mention.
Political parties reform: No specific mention.
Civil society: No specific mention.
Traditional/religious leaders: No specific mention.
Public administration: No specific mention.
Constitution: No specific mention.

Power sharing

Political power sharing: No specific mention.
Territorial power sharing: No specific mention.
Economic power sharing: No specific mention.
Military power sharing: No specific mention.

Human rights and equality

Human rights/RoL general: No specific mention.
Bill of rights/similar: No specific mention.
Treaty incorporation: No specific mention.
Civil and political rights: No specific mention.
Socio-economic rights: No specific mention.

Rights related issues

Citizenship: No specific mention.
Democracy: No specific mention.
Detention procedures: No specific mention.
Media and communication: No specific mention.
Mobility/access: No specific mention.
Protection measures: No specific mention.
Other: No specific mention.

Rights institutions

NHRI: No specific mention.
Regional or international human rights institutions: No specific mention.

Justice sector reform

Criminal justice and emergency law: No specific mention.
State of emergency provisions: No specific mention.
Judiciary and courts: No specific mention.
Prisons and detention: No specific mention.
Traditional Laws: No specific mention.

Socio-economic reconstruction

Development or socio-economic reconstruction: No specific mention.
National economic plan: No specific mention.
Natural resources: No specific mention.
International funds: No specific mention.
Business: 9. Agreed to re-open the three traditional border trading markets, namely Renqinggang-Changgu, Pulan-Gunji and Jiuba-Namgya.
Taxation: No specific mention.
Banks: No specific mention.

Land, property and environment

Land reform/rights: No specific mention.
Pastoralist/nomadism rights: No specific mention.
Cultural heritage: No specific mention.
Environment: No specific mention.
Water or riparian rights or access: 8. Exchanged views on trans-border rivers cooperation and agreed to give full play to the role of the China-India Expert Level Mechanism on Trans-border Rivers and keep communication on the renewal of relevant MoUs.
The Chinese side agreed to share hydrological information during emergency situations based on humanitarian considerations.

Security sector

Security Guarantees: 2.The two sides reiterated the importance of maintaining peace and tranquility in the border areas, emphasized handling the issue properly through friendly consultations, to promote overall development of the China-India bilateral relationship.
5. Agreed to set up a Working Group, under the WMCC framework, to advance effective border management in order to maintain peace and tranquility in the border areas.
6. Agreed to create General-Level Mechanisms in the Eastern and Middle Sectors, in addition to the existing General-Level Mechanism in the Western Sector, and hold the next round of General-Level Mechanism meeting in the Western Sector at an early date.
7. Agreed to use the border management mechanisms at diplomatic and military levels to carry forward the process of border management, and discuss de-escalation, beginning with the principles and modalities thereof.
Ceasefire: No specific mention.
Police: No specific mention.
Armed forces: No specific mention.
DDR: No specific mention.
Intelligence services: No specific mention.
Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces: No specific mention.
Withdrawal of foreign forces: No specific mention.
Corruption: No specific mention.
Crime/organised crime: No specific mention.
Drugs: No specific mention.
Terrorism: No specific mention.

Transitional justice

Transitional justice general: No specific mention.
Amnesty/pardon: No specific mention.
Courts: No specific mention.
Mechanism: No specific mention.
Prisoner release: No specific mention.
Vetting: No specific mention.
Victims: No specific mention.
Missing persons: No specific mention.
Reparations: No specific mention.
Reconciliation: No specific mention.

Implementation

UN signatory: No specific mention.
Other international signatory: No specific mention.
Referendum for agreement: No specific mention.
International mission/force/similar: No specific mention.
Enforcement mechanism: No specific mention.

Ten points of consensus for the 24th Round of Talks Between the Special Representatives of China and India on the Boundary Question

Updated:

August 20, 2025 03:05

On August 19, 2025, the 24th Round of Talks Between the Special Representatives (SR) of China and India on the Boundary Question was held in New Delhi, India.

The talks were co-chaired by H.E. Mr. Wang Yi, Special Representative of China, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, and H.E. Mr. Ajit Doval, Special Representative of India and National Security Advisor.

Under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries and in a positive and constructive spirit, the two sides had a candid and in-depth exchange of views on the China-India boundary question, and reached ten points of consensus as follows:

1.Spoke positively of the progress made in the implementation of the important leader-level consensus in Kazan, and shared the view that peace and tranquility has been maintained in the China-India border areas since the 23rd Round of SR Talks.

2.The two sides reiterated the importance of maintaining peace and tranquility in the border areas, emphasized handling the issue properly through friendly consultations, to promote overall development of the China-India bilateral relationship.

3. Agreed on the need to take a political perspective of the overall bilateral relationship while seeking a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable framework for settlement of the boundary question in accordance with the Agreement on Political Parameters and Guiding Principles for Settlement of the China-India Boundary Question signed in 2005.

4. Agreed to set up an Expert Group, under the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on the China-India border affairs (WMCC) framework, to explore Early Harvest of boundary delimitation on appropriate Sectors.

5. Agreed to set up a Working Group, under the WMCC framework, to advance effective border management in order to maintain peace and tranquility in the border areas.

6. Agreed to create General-Level Mechanisms in the Eastern and Middle Sectors, in addition to the existing General-Level Mechanism in the Western Sector, and hold the next round of General-Level Mechanism meeting in the Western Sector at an early date.

7. Agreed to use the border management mechanisms at diplomatic and military levels to carry forward the process of border management, and discuss de-escalation, beginning with the principles and modalities thereof.

8. Exchanged views on trans-border rivers cooperation and agreed to give full play to the role of the China-India Expert Level Mechanism on Trans-border Rivers and keep communication on the renewal of relevant MoUs.

The Chinese side agreed to share hydrological information during emergency situations based on humanitarian considerations.

9. Agreed to re-open the three traditional border trading markets, namely Renqinggang-Changgu, Pulan-Gunji and Jiuba-Namgya.

10. Agreed to hold the 25th Round of SR Talks in China in 2026.