India and China have agreed to resume border trade through three key passes: Lipulekh Pass, Shipki La Pass, and Nathu La Pass. This decision was reached during the 24th round of Special Representatives' dialogue held in New Delhi on August 19, 2025. The dialogue, co-chaired by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, focused on advancing bilateral ties and enhancing border management.
Both nations committed to establishing a new Working Group under the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) to bolster border management and ensure peace along the frontier. This initiative aims to build upon the 2005 Agreement on Political Parameters and Guiding Principles for the Settlement of the India-China Boundary Question.
Beyond border trade, the discussions yielded agreements to reinstate direct flight services between the two countries and simplify visa procedures, facilitating greater people-to-people exchanges. China also pledged to address India's resource needs, including fertilizers and tunnel boring machines.
The 24th Special Representatives' dialogue also set the stage for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming visit to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin, China, on August 31, 2025. This visit marks Modi's first to China in seven years.
Wang Yi emphasized the importance of viewing each other as partners rather than rivals, and Doval highlighted the positive trajectory of bilateral relations. The resumption of border trade, which had been suspended for over five years following the 2020 border clashes, is symbolically significant, representing a renewed commitment to constructive dialogue and mutual understanding.