Agencies | New Delhi:
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval has departed for Beijing to participate in the 25th round of India-China Special Representatives’ talks on the long-standing boundary dispute, with maintaining peace and stability along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) expected to remain at the centre of discussions.
Doval is scheduled to meet Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi for the talks, which are aimed at reviewing the current situation along the disputed border and exploring measures to prevent further escalation.
According to government sources, the discussions will focus on border stability and de-escalation along the LAC. Doval’s visit assumes added significance ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s expected visit to India for the BRICS Summit.
Both sides are expected to undertake a detailed assessment of the ground situation along the LAC, particularly amid recent reports of heightened Chinese military activity in the Upper Subansiri region of Arunachal Pradesh.
As part of the Special Representatives’ mechanism, Doval and Wang are expected to explore mutually acceptable approaches to addressing the broader boundary dispute spanning the nearly 3,488-km frontier between the two countries.
The talks are expected to emphasise maintaining peace and tranquillity and preventing the emergence of fresh friction points along the border.
The two sides are also likely to review the disengagement arrangements reached in October 2024 and subsequent measures aimed at reducing the possibility of military confrontation.
Restoration of patrolling arrangements and consolidation of the gradual normalisation process that began following the 2020 Galwan Valley crisis are also expected to figure in the discussions.
The Special Representatives are also expected to discuss the Expert Group under the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC), which has been tasked with examining possible early measures related to boundary delimitation in appropriate sectors.
Strengthening existing border-management mechanisms is another expected area of discussion. The two sides may consider establishing or strengthening General-Level Mechanisms in the Eastern and Middle Sectors alongside the existing mechanism covering the Western Sector.
The broader state of India-China relations is also expected to be reviewed, including efforts to consolidate the principles outlined in the 2005 Agreement on Political Parameters and Guiding Principles for the settlement of the boundary question.
The talks are being held against the backdrop of efforts by New Delhi and Beijing to stabilise bilateral relations following years of military tensions along the LAC.
Officials are expected to seek measures that can create a more positive atmosphere and support continued de-escalation ahead of the BRICS Summit scheduled for September 12-13.
Apart from the boundary issue, discussions are likely to cover broader border-management arrangements, confidence-building measures and areas of potential cross-border cooperation.
Doval’s Beijing visit also comes ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s expected trip to India for the BRICS Summit.
While Beijing and New Delhi have not officially confirmed Xi’s participation, officials on both sides are reportedly hopeful that the Chinese leader will attend.
If confirmed, Xi’s visit could provide an opportunity for a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the summit and potentially add momentum to efforts aimed at stabilising bilateral ties.
Modi and Xi last met in August 2025 on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin.
The upcoming Special Representatives’ dialogue is therefore being closely watched for indications of progress on border stability and the broader process of rebuilding trust between the two Asian powers.
