Lok Sabha Question No. 69 (STARRED), answered on 2024-11-29
Subject: Impact of BRICS Summit on Indo-China Relations
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Thiru Dayanidhi Maran

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED Q.NO. 69

## ANSWERED ON 29.11.2024

## IMPACT OF BRICS SUMMIT ON INDO-CHINA RELATIONS

## *69. THIRU DAYANIDHI MARAN

Will the Minister of External Affairs be pleased to state:

- (a)   the   impact   of   the   BRICS   Summit   in   driving   the   India-China disengagement agreement;
- (b)   whether   the   deadline   of   the   summit   helped   expedite   any unresolved issues and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government provides periodic updates or issues a white paper to inform the public about the progress and changes along the LAC given the sensitivity of border matters and if so, the details thereof;
- (d)   whether there has been a formal statement from the Chinese Government on the border agreement and if so, the details thereof; (e) whether the Government has perceived any reluctance from China to publicly endorse the terms of this detente and if so, the details thereof;

(f) whether there is a structured mechanism in place to handle future misunderstandings or minor incidents that may arise along the LAC to prevent escalation and if so, the details thereof; and (g) whether there are plans to ease rules for the issuance of visas between India and China and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (DR. SUBRAHMANYAM JAISHANKAR)

(a) to (g) A statement is laid on the table of the House.

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Statement referred in reply to parts (a) to (g) of the Lok Sabha Starred Question No. *69 for reply on 29.11.2024 regarding 'Impact of BRICS Summit on India-China relations'

(a) to (g): Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi met with Mr. Xi Jinping, President of the People's Republic of China, on the sidelines of the 16th BRICS Summit at Kazan on 23 October 2024.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Modi welcomed the agreement for complete disengagement and resolution of relevant issues that arose in   2020   in   the   India-China   border   areas.   He   underscored   the importance of properly handling differences and disputes and not allowing them to disturb peace and tranquility in the border areas.

China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Lin Jian during the regular press conference on 22 nd October 2024 said  'Over a recent period of time, China and India have reached resolutions on issues concerning the border area following close communication through diplomatic   and   military   channels.   China   commends   the   progress made   and   will   continue   working   with   India   for   the   sound implementation of these resolutions.'

The   readout   of   China's   Ministry   of   Foreign   Affairs   following   the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi

Jinping mentioned that 'The two leaders commended the important progress   the   two   sides   had   recently   made   through   intensive communication on resolving the relevant issues in the border areas.'

Government   has   regularly   briefed   the   Parliament   on   the   major milestones   in   resolution   of   issues   and   also   released   information through   press   releases   and   briefings.   Raksha   Mantri   had   briefed Parliament   on   15   September   2020   and   11   February   2021   on significant developments in the Disengagement discussions with the Chinese   side.   Government   also   issued   press   statements   on   15 September 2020 and 12 February 2021 in this regard.

Government regularly takes up any transgression along the LAC with the Chinese side through established mechanisms including border personnel meetings, flag meetings, meetings of Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on India-China Border Affairs, the recent India-China Corps Commander Level Meeting mechanism as well as through diplomatic channels.

During   the   meeting   between   Prime   Minister   Modi   and   Chinese President Xi Jinping in Kazan on 23 October 2024, it was agreed that relevant dialogue mechanisms at the level of Foreign Minister and other   officials   will   be   utilized   to   stabilize   and   rebuild   bilateral

relations.  External   Affairs   Minister   met   Chinese  Foreign   Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of G20 Summit on 18 November 2024. The discussions focused on the next steps in India-China relations. It was agreed that a meeting of the Special Representatives and of the Foreign   Secretary-Vice   Minister   mechanism   will   take   place   soon. Among the steps discussed were the resumption of  the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra pilgrimage, data sharing on trans-border rivers, direct flights between India and China and media exchanges.

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