In a crucial meeting between India and China, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval emphasized the necessity of maintaining peace along the border to foster diplomatic and developmental ties between the two nations. During his visit to Beijing, Doval met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi for the 25th round of talks aimed at resolving the longstanding boundary dispute. Their discussions centered on advancing boundary delimitation, enhancing border management, and exploring avenues for increased cooperation across their shared frontier.
Both countries reported a positive review of their bilateral relations during the talks, focusing on strategies to maintain stability along the Line of Actual Control. They reiterated their commitment to a political resolution of the boundary issue in alignment with their long-term interests. This dialogue follows the 2024 understanding between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, which aimed to reduce tensions in the Ladakh sector. Subsequent to this understanding, activities such as the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra and border trade via designated routes have resumed, reflecting a thaw in relations.
Ajit Doval noted that the bilateral relationship is gradually returning to normal, attributing this improvement to the continuous efforts to maintain border peace. Meanwhile, China emphasized the importance of placing the boundary issue within its broader relationship context. Despite the constructive dialogue, both sides refrained from revealing significant details regarding progress in the actual demarcation of the contested boundary. They agreed to persist with negotiations and plan to convene the next round of special representative talks in India in 2027.
The discussions gain additional importance as they precede an anticipated visit by President Xi Jinping to India for the BRICS summit scheduled for September. This upcoming visit underscores the significance of these efforts to further stabilize and enhance bilateral relations between the two neighboring countries.