India-China: 24th Special Representatives talks, border trade to reopen

Next story · 19 AugNABL portal for medical labs

What happened

NSA Ajit Doval and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held the 24th Special Representatives talks on the boundary question on 19 August 2025 [MEA].
They agreed on an Expert Group under WMCC to explore “early harvest” in boundary delimitation, a Working Group on border management, and General Level Mechanisms in the Eastern and Middle sectors [MEA].

Background

Border trade is to reopen at Lipulekh, Shipki La and Nathu La; direct flights are to resume and the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra to expand from 2026 [MEA].
India raised the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) mega dam and asked for transparency; China agreed to share hydrological data in emergencies [MEA].

Why it matters

This is the clearest record of how the post-2020 freeze thawed. Learn the three trading passes and which states they are in.

How to use this in Mains

GS-II Bilateral relations and effect of policies of other countries on India

As per MEA (2025-08-19): NSA Ajit Doval and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held the 24th Special Representatives talks on the boundary question on 19 August 2025.
This is the clearest record of how the post-2020 freeze thawed. Learn the three trading passes and which states they are in.

Quotable data point
NSA Ajit Doval and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held the 24th Special Representatives talks on the boundary question on 19 August 2025.
MEA: Visit of China's FM and SR on the boundary question, 19 Aug 2025

Practice MCQs

Original practice questions (not PYQs).

Practice · UPSC

Which is NOT among the three India-China border trading points agreed for reopening in 2025?

Answer (d) & explanation

MEA release.

Practice · UPSC

The Special Representatives on the India-China boundary for India is the

Answer (b) & explanation

MEA release.