Ajit Doval has arrived in Beijing for the 25th round of India-China boundary talks with Wang Yi, a meeting that comes at a sensitive moment ahead of Xi Jinping’s expected visit to New Delhi for the BRICS summit.

The talks are being closely watched as both sides attempt to consolidate disengagement agreements and stabilise ties after years of military tensions.

Ajit Doval reached Beijing on Monday for a two-day visit. He will hold discussions with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the long-standing boundary question. The meeting marks the 25th round of Special Representatives’ talks, scheduled for 25 August. During his stay, Doval is also expected to meet Chinese Vice-President Han Zheng.

The visit follows China’s recent statement that the border situation is “generally stable.” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun referred to the 36th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on Border Affairs, noting that both sides agreed to maintain communication through diplomatic and military channels to jointly uphold peace and tranquillity.

India, however, has reiterated that the state of bilateral ties will depend directly on developments along the border. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasised that peace and tranquillity along the frontier remain essential, making clear that relations will reflect the situation on the ground.

The talks come against the backdrop of a cautious thaw and persisting tensions. Relations deteriorated sharply after the deadly clash in Galwan Valley in June 2020, which killed 20 Indian soldiers and at least four Chinese troops. The confrontation triggered a prolonged military standoff along the Line of Actual Control, with both countries deploying additional forces and restricting engagement.

After several rounds of negotiations, the two sides reached a breakthrough in October 2024, agreeing on patrolling arrangements and disengagement at the remaining friction points of Depsang and Demchok in eastern Ladakh. This paved the way for a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Russia.

Relations gradually improved through high-level visits and efforts to revive trade, investment, and people-to-people exchanges. Modi visited China in 2025 for the first time in seven years, and direct flights between the two countries resumed after a suspension of more than five years.

Despite these diplomatic advances, tensions persisted. In November 2025, an Indian woman from Arunachal Pradesh, Prema Wangjom Thongdok, was detained for 18 hours at Shanghai airport after officials questioned the validity of her passport due to her birthplace.

India lodged a strong protest and sought assurances that its citizens would not be selectively targeted or harassed while transiting through Chinese airports.

The current round of talks is therefore seen as crucial. Both sides are expected to review the October 2024 disengagement arrangements, discuss restoring patrolling rights, and explore confidence-building measures. The timing is significant, as Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to attend the BRICS summit in New Delhi on 12–13 September, potentially opening the way for another meeting with Prime Minister Modi.

The outcome of Doval’s visit will be closely monitored, as it could determine whether the fragile calm along the border can be consolidated into a broader stabilisation of ties between the two Asian giants.

Agencies