Doval Heads to China for Border Talks Ahead of Modi-Xi Meeting
NSA Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will co-chair the 25th round of Special Representatives dialogue on the India-China border issue.
NEW DELHI, Aug 24: National Security Adviser Ajit Doval will travel to China on Monday for the 25th round of the Special Representatives dialogue on the India-China boundary question, ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s planned meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi are scheduled to co-chair the talks in Beijing on Tuesday. The discussions are expected to cover de-escalation, boundary delimitation and measures to strengthen management of the frontier.
The meeting comes at a significant stage in bilateral relations, with Modi and Xi scheduled to meet on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit on August 31 and September 1. Xi is also expected to visit India in September for the BRICS summit, where the two leaders are likely to hold bilateral discussions.
Border peace remains key priority
The Special Representatives meeting is expected to focus on maintaining peace and tranquillity along the border as both countries seek to stabilise ties.
India is likely to stress that continued peace in the frontier areas is essential for improving broader bilateral relations and creating conditions for greater economic and developmental engagement.
The two sides are also considering the establishment of a working group focused on effective border management and maintaining stability in sensitive areas.
Jaishankar stresses importance of stable ties
Ahead of the Doval Wang meeting, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said Saturday that peace and tranquillity along the border remain essential for healthy relations between India and China.
Jaishankar also highlighted the importance of maintaining engagement with Beijing, particularly as India pursues its economic and technological modernisation.
He said both countries have a shared interest in maintaining a stable relationship, suggesting that sustained dialogue will remain important despite unresolved boundary issues.
Modi-Xi engagements add diplomatic significance
The upcoming meetings between Modi and Xi are expected to provide an opportunity to review the progress made in stabilising bilateral ties and address outstanding concerns.
The SCO summit in the coming days will offer the first major setting for the two leaders to engage, followed by Xi’s expected India visit for the BRICS summit.
The outcome of the Special Representatives dialogue could therefore help shape the broader diplomatic environment ahead of the leaders’ meetings, particularly on border management and restoring greater predictability in India-China relations.
