India and China Explore Limited Border Pact Ahead of BRICS Summit in New Delhi

• Talks underway on an “early-harvest” agreement for less contentious border areas, mainly Sikkim.

• 25th round of boundary negotiations expected later this year in Beijing.

• New mechanism proposed for improved border management and stability.

• Diplomatic momentum builds ahead of BRICS Summit on September 12–13.

As diplomatic activity intensifies ahead of the BRICS Summit scheduled for September 12–13 in New Delhi, India and China are examining the possibility of a limited agreement to address less disputed stretches of their long-standing boundary issue.

Beijing is said to be pushing for progress on an “early-harvest” arrangement that would settle comparatively less contentious sectors of the India-China boundary, particularly in the Sikkim region. The proposed move comes at a time when Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to host Chinese President Xi Jinping during the summit, offering a potential platform for renewed engagement.

The renewed momentum follows the resolution of the prolonged military standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, which lasted from April–May 2020 until October 2024. With disengagement completed, both sides appear keen to stabilize broader ties.

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval recently hosted Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in New Delhi during a BRICS-related visit. The two leaders also held separate bilateral discussions earlier this week, laying groundwork for the 25th round of boundary negotiations expected to take place in Beijing later this year.

Wang Yi, a senior member of the Chinese Communist Party’s Politburo, serves as Beijing’s special representative for the boundary dialogue, mirroring Doval’s role for India. Their meeting marked the first since August 2025, when they convened in New Delhi for the 24th round of talks.

According to sources, both sides discussed the feasibility of reaching a preliminary settlement in specific sectors rather than attempting an all-encompassing solution immediately. In the past, New Delhi had resisted piecemeal resolutions, citing the 2005 agreement on Political Parameters and Guiding Principles for Settlement of the Boundary Question. That pact emphasized that any resolution must be comprehensive and cover all sectors of the disputed boundary.

However, during the 24th round of negotiations—held shortly after the Ladakh disengagement—both nations agreed to establish an Expert Group under the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC). This group was tasked with exploring the scope for incremental progress in boundary delineation.

Beyond territorial discussions, officials are also considering a structured framework to enhance border management and ensure continued peace along sensitive stretches. The Chinese Foreign Ministry, in its summary of Wang’s meeting with Prime Minister Modi, indicated Beijing’s willingness to implement understandings reached during previous high-level engagements—specifically the October 2024 meeting in Kazan, Russia, and the September 2025 meeting in Tianjin.

Wang underscored the need to strengthen mutual trust, address misunderstandings, and carefully handle sensitive issues to prevent the boundary dispute from overshadowing overall bilateral relations.

India, meanwhile, has consistently maintained that sustained peace and stability along the border remain prerequisites for any meaningful improvement in ties. According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, Doval emphasized the importance of predictability and constructive engagement in building deeper confidence between the two countries. He also highlighted the need for both sides to remain sensitive to each other’s core concerns.

As preparations continue for the next formal round of negotiations, the diplomatic choreography suggests cautious optimism. While a comprehensive settlement remains complex, incremental progress in less contentious areas could mark a pragmatic shift in how the two Asian powers manage one of the world’s longest unresolved boundary disputes.