Ajit Doval, Wang Yi Discuss Border Issue, Bilateral Ties in Beijing

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held Special Representatives talks in Beijing on Tuesday, focusing on the India-China boundary question and measures to improve bilateral relations. The high-level dialogue assumes significance ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s expected visit to New Delhi for the BRICS Summit on September 12-13.

Doval arrived in Beijing on Monday for the two-day visit and, ahead of the talks, met Chinese Vice President Han Zheng. According to the Indian Embassy, the two discussed ways to strengthen peace and tranquillity in border areas and further improve bilateral ties across economic, political and multilateral forums, in line with the consensus reached by the leaders of both countries.

The Doval-Wang discussions come against the backdrop of continuing differences over the border, including Arunachal Pradesh, and efforts to consolidate the stabilisation of ties following the 2020 Galwan Valley clash and the prolonged military stand-off in eastern Ladakh. Both Doval and Wang are the designated Special Representatives under a mechanism established in 2003 to comprehensively address the 3,488-km India-China boundary dispute. Although the mechanism has not resolved the territorial question, officials on both sides regard it as an important channel for managing recurring tensions.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said the two sides would conduct in-depth communication on the boundary issue while also discussing bilateral, regional and international matters. He described the SR mechanism as the “main channel” for boundary negotiations and an important platform for communication on issues of mutual interest. The talks follow the 24th round of SR negotiations, held in August last year, when India and China held candid discussions and reached several common understandings. Beijing said the latest round would build on those understandings and seek to keep border areas peaceful and tranquil.

The dialogue also carries wider diplomatic significance as a possible Modi-Xi meeting on the sidelines of the BRICS summit could provide an opportunity to discuss measures for taking bilateral relations forward. Modi and Xi last met in August 2025 during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin. India has consistently maintained that peace and tranquillity along the Line of Actual Control are essential for stable bilateral relations, while rejecting China’s claims over Arunachal Pradesh.