In a recent meeting in Beijing, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and tranquillity along the India-China border as a crucial factor for fostering the development of bilateral relations. Doval’s discussions with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi marked the 25th round of talks between the special representatives of the two countries, focusing on resolving their protracted boundary dispute. The dialogue centered on advancing boundary delimitation, improving border management, and enhancing cooperation across the frontier.
Both nations positively evaluated progress in their bilateral relations and explored ways to maintain stability along the Line of Actual Control. They reaffirmed their commitment to achieving a political settlement of the boundary issue, considering their long-term interests. These discussions build on the progress made after the 2024 agreement between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, which aimed to reduce tensions in the Ladakh sector. As a result of this understanding, people-to-people exchanges, the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra, and border trade through designated routes have resumed.
Doval noted that bilateral ties have been gradually returning to normal, attributing this improvement directly to the maintenance of peace along the border. Meanwhile, China emphasized that the boundary issue should be viewed within the broader context of their relationship. Although neither side disclosed significant details about progress on the actual boundary demarcation, both countries agreed to continue negotiations and plan to hold the next round of special representative talks in India in 2027.
The timing of these discussions is particularly significant, as they precede the anticipated visit of Xi Jinping to India for the BRICS summit in September. This upcoming event adds further importance to the efforts to stabilize bilateral relations. Both India and China remain committed to working towards a resolution, indicating their willingness to continue dialogue and cooperation as they seek to address and manage their differences.