India And China Set To Begin Delimitation Exercise For Final Border Demarcation

India and China have made notable progress on boundary resolution, agreeing to begin delimiting less contentious stretches of the border and move towards permanent demarcation. The decision was reached during the 24th round of Special Representative talks between NSA Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday.

Though both sides have remained discreet about the details, NSA Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi have agreed to focus on the less contentious sectors of the border for delimitation and eventual demarcation. The process will unfold in stages: first, a technical expert group under the WMCC, led by an MEA joint secretary, will be set up. Next, areas with minimal friction will be identified. These tracts will then be delimited, and finally, the boundary will be marked with pillars. In essence, India and China have chosen a step-by-step, piece-meal approach instead of seeking a sweeping resolution, aiming to build confidence through early, tangible progress.

India and China have now begun working on the next phase of their border management after completing disengagement in the Eastern Sector, following the May 2020 clashes. Although the issue of creating buffer zones in contested regions remains unsettled, both sides have agreed to gradually adopt a non-offensive posture for their armies in East Ladakh and other sensitive stretches of the boundary. This shift will rely on mutual sensitivity and independent restraint, ensuring that neither side poses a direct military threat in the future.

The initial step in this de-escalation process involves pulling back heavy weaponry-tanks, rocket systems, and artillery-from forward positions along the Ladakh LAC to safer, less threatening distances. The move is shaped by the stark differences in terrain: India’s side is dominated by steep mountains and narrow passes, while China’s side rests on the flat Tibetan plateau, which gives the PLA faster mobility compared to the Indian Army. Addressing this imbalance through repositioning is seen as vital to reducing tensions and preventing sudden flare-ups.

With both sides committing to preserve peace and stability along the boundary, India and China are steadily working towards restoring relations to the pre-April 2020 phase. While New Delhi remains mindful of Beijing’s deep strategic footprint in Pakistan and across the wider subcontinent, the renewed push for normalcy stems from the October 23, 2024 meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping.

Now, with the two leaders scheduled to meet again on August 31 at the SCO summit in Tianjin, the stage is set for India and China to pursue a more pragmatic and balanced engagement-one that acknowledges competition but emphasizes cooperation in areas of shared interest.