China and India agreed on Tuesday to continue dialogue and seek a "fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable settlement" of their border issue after talks between senior diplomats in Beijing.

The world's two most populous nations share a roughly 3,800-km, largely undemarcated and disputed border in the Himalayas.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi and India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval had "comprehensive, in-depth, friendly and candid" discussions on border affairs and bilateral ties, the foreign ministry said in a statement.

Wang said China-India relations were no longer only of bilateral importance but carried global and strategic significance, saying the two neighbours should strengthen communication and reduce their differences.

"China is ready to work with India to develop bilateral relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, be good neighbours and friends as well as partners that help each other succeed, and realise the "Dragon-Elephant Tango," Wang said.

Xinhua News Agency reported that Doval said India is willing to further enhance strategic communication with China, effectively manage border areas, explore solutions to the border question, and promote the accelerated improvement and development of India-China relations.

Ties between Beijing and New Delhi have gradually improved in recent years following a deadly 2020 border clash, which led to a four-year military standoff before a disengagement agreement was reached in October 2024.

Last year Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited China for the first time in seven years, in a sign of a thaw in relations. More recently, a fresh border-related dispute triggered sharp diplomatic exchanges between the two rivals.

"Both sides should learn from historical experience, place the border issue in an appropriate position in bilateral relations, and move forward without stagnation, regression, or deviation," Wang was quoted as telling Doval at Tuesday's meeting.

The two countries have agreed to hold the next round of border talks in India in 2027, the Chinese statement added. (Xinhua/Reuters)



Edited by Cecil Wong