North News
New Delhi, December 18
India and China have agreed to resume the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and border trade through the Nathu La pass, marking a significant step in cross-border cooperation. The two sides also committed to sharing hydrological data on trans-border rivers and ensuring stable relations to foster regional and global peace, officials said.
The agreements were reached during the 23rd Special Representatives (SRs) meeting in Beijing on Monday, attended by Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The meeting followed directions from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping after their recent talks in Kazan.
In their first engagement since the 2020 border frictions, the SRs welcomed the October 2024 disengagement agreement that allowed patrolling and grazing in sensitive areas. They reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace along the disputed border to facilitate broader bilateral ties.
The two sides discussed ways to strengthen mechanisms for effective border management and stressed avoiding incidents that could derail overall relations. Doval also met Chinese Vice President Han Zheng and extended an invitation to Wang Yi for the next SRs meeting in India.
