**Policy Summary: Sino-Indian Border Dispute**
This document summarizes the Indian government's position and diplomatic efforts regarding territories occupied by China following the 1962 Sino-Indian War. As of August 8, 2025, the Ministry of External Affairs reports that China remains in illegal occupation of approximately 38,000 square kilometers of Indian territory.
Since 1962, India has pursued bilateral diplomatic avenues to address this boundary question. Key initiatives include:
* **1981-1987:** Eight rounds of formal border negotiations were held at the Secretary level, initiated after the visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Huang Hua to New Delhi in June 1981.
* **1988:** During Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's visit to China (December 19-23), the India-China Joint Working Group on the boundary question was established. This group convened for 15 rounds between 1989 and 2005.
* **2003:** During Prime Minister Vajpayee's visit to China (June 22-27), Special Representatives (SRs) were appointed to explore a framework for a boundary settlement from a political perspective.
* **2005:** Based on the first five rounds of SR talks, the "Agreement on Political Parameters and Guiding Principles for Settlement of India-China Boundary Question" was signed on April 11, 2005.
* **2005-2012:** Ten additional rounds of SR Talks were held, resulting in a "Common Understanding of the Discussions between the Special Representatives of India and China on the Framework of Settlement of the Boundary Question" in December 2012.
* **2012-2024:** Eight more rounds of SR Talks have taken place, with the most recent held in Beijing on December 18, 2024.
Key Entities Referenced
China: Country involved in a border dispute with India.
India: Country involved in a border dispute with China.
Sino-Indian War of 1962: The war during which China occupied Indian territory.
Ministry of External Affairs: The Indian government ministry responsible for foreign relations.
New Delhi: The location of diplomatic talks between India and China.
Rajiv Gandhi: Former Prime Minister of India who visited China in 1988.
Atal Bihari Vajpayee: Former Prime Minister of India who visited China in 2003.
Beijing: The location where Special Representatives Talks were held on 18 December 2024
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO - 3447
ANSWERED ON - 08/08/2025
TERRITORIES OCCUPIED BY CHINA IN 1962
3447. SHRI RAO RAJENDRA SINGH
Will the Minister of External Affairs be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government of India has any data on the territories that
were occupied by China during the Sino-Indian War of 1962, if so, the
details thereof;
(b) whether any diplomatic efforts or overtures have been made with
China, since 1962, to reclaim such territories that were lost during the
war; and
(c) if so, the details thereof and the extent to which the aforementioned
talks have progressed?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a to c) At the end of the 1962 conflict, China was in illegal occupation
of approximately 38,000 sq. kms. of Indian territory.
1There have been several initiatives taken bilaterally with China over the
years to address the outstanding boundary question.
Following the visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Huang Hua to New Delhi
in June 1981, India and China held eight rounds of formal border
negotiations from December 1981 to November 1987, led at Secretary
level.
During the official visit of PM Rajiv Gandhi to China from 19-23 December
1988, the two sides announced the creation of India-China Joint Working
Group on the boundary question. The Joint Working Groups met for a
total of 15 rounds between 1989 and 2005.
During Prime Minister Vajpayee’s official visit to China from 22-27 June
2003, the two sides announced the appointment of Special
Representatives to explore from the political perspective of the overall
bilateral relationship the framework of a boundary settlement. Based on
the first five rounds of talks between the Special Representatives, both
sides signed the “Agreement on Political Parameters and Guiding
Principles for Settlement of India-China Boundary Question” on April 11,
2005. Thereafter, 10 more rounds of the SR Talks were held until 2012,
at the end of which the two sides identified further elements of
consensus in a “Common Understanding of the Discussions between the
Special Representatives of India and China on the Framework of
2Settlement of the Boundary Question” in December 2012. Subsequently,
8 more rounds of the SR Talks have been held, the last one being in
Beijing on 18 December 2024.
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