Dialogue conducive to stabilizing border areas and Sino-Indian ties: China Daily editorial

The 25th round of talks between the special representatives of China and India on the boundary question, held in Beijing on Tuesday, concluded with an eight-point consensus.

The meeting was co-chaired by Foreign Minister Wang Yi, China's special representative on the boundary question between China and India, and India's Special Representative and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. Its outcomes will help stabilize the border areas of the two neighbors.

The consensus includes the establishment of an expert group on boundary delimitation and a working group on border management under the existing China-India border affairs consultation and coordination working mechanism. The first task of these groups will be to agree on their respective terms of reference so they can advance discussions on boundary delimitation and border management to realize early and substantial progress.

With the aim of improving border management, two additional meeting points were agreed upon for holding the General-Level Mechanism/Senior Highest Military Commander meeting and two additional channels for the border military hotline in the Eastern and Middle Sectors.

Moreover, both sides noted the progress on trans-border cooperation and agreed to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in border trade, pilgrimage and other areas, with the view of working together to create an atmosphere featuring dialogue, peace, consultation and cooperation in the border areas. These outcomes reflect the willingness of both sides to de-escalate border tensions.

During the talks, Wang expressed Beijing's readiness to work with New Delhi to manage their relations from a strategic and long-term perspective. By strengthening communication, enhancing mutual understanding, resolving differences and overcoming obstacles, the two neighbors can be good friends and partners that help each other succeed.

As Wang said, both sides should learn from historical experiences, place the boundary question in its proper context within the bilateral relationship, and continue to move forward "without stagnation, regression, or deviation" so as to gradually foster a positive narrative on China-India boundary affairs, making dialogue, peace, consultation and cooperation the mainstream of their relations.

Indeed, by transcending historical and political differences over the boundary question and deepening cooperation in areas such as trade, technology, climate change and public health, both nations can unlock the potential that exists in relations. Their interests are inextricably linked: a stable, peaceful border allows for the free flow of trade and personnel. The focus should therefore shift from what divides the two sides to the opportunities that can be seized by working in tandem.

It is important that New Delhi resists the temptation to encourage nationalism on the border issue for domestic political gains. Stirring nationalist sentiment over the boundary question only creates a toxic public opinion environment that makes it difficult for both countries to be flexible and engage constructively.

The mainstream narrative in both countries should be one of dialogue, peace, consultation, and cooperation. This, rather than confrontational rhetoric, will foster the necessary trust and goodwill for the long-term, healthy and stable development of bilateral ties.

The latest round of China-India talks happened against the backdrop of increasing global uncertainty. The world order is under immense strain, with the ongoing crisis in the Middle East and the protracted conflict in Ukraine causing widespread instability. The global economy remains fragile. Against this complex and volatile backdrop, it is encouraging that both sides reaffirmed their commitment in the meeting to uphold the guidance of the leaders of the two countries, maintain peace and tranquility in the border areas and create an atmosphere for healthy and steady development of bilateral relations.

As members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and BRICS, China and India demonstrated through this week's Beijing talks that they possess the strategic wisdom and patience to manage their differences constructively — thereby contributing to regional peace and stability.