India Pushes for Border Solution in Talks with China

India and China have renewed talks to resolve their long-standing border dispute, with Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar calling for a “permanent solution” and de-escalation along the 3,800-kilometre contested boundary.

The border, which has been disputed since the 1950s, was the site of a brief but intense war in 1962. Decades of negotiations have made little progress, but India is now pushing harder for a clear resolution.

Speaking at a meeting in China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), Jaishankar said it’s time to address broader issues, including military de-escalation and avoiding trade restrictions.

“It is critical that restrictive trade measures and roadblocks be avoided,” he said, referring to China’s recent export curbs on rare earth minerals and high-tech equipment.

India has large reserves of rare earths but currently lacks full production capacity, making the issue economically sensitive.

Jaishankar also met Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, who told him both countries should “respect each other’s concerns” and strengthen practical cooperation, according to China’s Xinhua News Agency.

There has been no official Chinese statement yet on Jaishankar’s meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

The fresh round of talks signals New Delhi’s intent to move toward lasting peace and economic cooperation with its largest neighbor.