BEIJING, China — On Wednesday, China and India reached an agreement to work collaboratively towards resolving their enduring border dispute in the Himalayas, which has been heightened since a violent confrontation in 2020.

This latest development comes after a significant agreement on border patrols was established in October, successfully breaking a prolonged deadlock that followed the clash in the Ladakh region. This confrontation marked the first deadly exchange between the two nations since 1975, significantly escalating tensions in the area.

After discussions between the designated representatives for border issues — Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval — a statement from China’s Foreign Ministry indicated that both countries are committed to finding “fair and reasonable” resolutions. They plan to craft a roadmap that prioritizes addressing simpler issues first before tackling the more complicated matters.

The agreement on border patrols was quickly succeeded by a noteworthy meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marking their first dialogue in five years.

Moreover, Wang and Doval emphasized the importance of continuing the implementation of the border patrol agreement and expressed intentions to enhance cross-border exchanges. This includes restoring travel opportunities for Indian pilgrims wishing to visit Tibet, according to the Chinese statement.

This concerted effort by the two nations signals a move towards de-escalating tensions and fostering greater cooperation between China and India, as they both navigate the complexities of their historic territorial disagreements.