Archive · 24 Aug 2026
Doval-Wang Beijing Talks Test India-China Ties Before BRICS
India and China disagree about parts of their long border.
Ajit Doval of India met Wang Yi of China in Beijing to discuss this problem.
They talked about moving soldiers and weapons farther away from tense areas.
They also discussed better phone and communication links between military commanders.
The countries may try smaller agreements in less disputed parts of the border.
The main disagreement in areas such as Eastern Ladakh is still not solved.
India and China are also trying to improve flights, visas, pilgrimage travel and trade.
The talks happened before important SCO and BRICS meetings.
If they make progress, Indian and Chinese leaders may have a calmer meeting.
Ajit Doval and Wang Yi held the 25th Special Representatives talks on the India-China boundary question in Beijing on August 25.
The discussions covered border de-escalation, patrol rules, military communication and possible sector-by-sector boundary agreements.
Full de-escalation in Eastern Ladakh remains incomplete despite earlier disengagement from immediate contact points.
The two countries are also discussing flights, visas, the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage and border trade.
The talks could shape prospects for a Narendra Modi-Xi Jinping meeting during the SCO and BRICS summits.
- Who
- India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister and Special Representative Wang Yi; Doval was also scheduled to call on Chinese Vice President Han Zheng.
- What
- The 25th round of high-level talks on the India-China boundary dispute and broader bilateral relations.
- When
- The two-day visit began on Monday, with talks scheduled for August 25, 2026, ahead of the BRICS Summit on September 12-13, 2026.
- Where
- Beijing, China.
- Why
- To advance border stability and de-escalation, improve military communication and support wider normalisation before the SCO and BRICS summits.
India’s stated position
China’s stated position
Border stability and normal relations
India’s stated position
India says peace and tranquility along the border are an absolute prerequisite for normal bilateral relations and treats border affairs as highly serious.
China’s stated position
China describes the frontier as generally stable and says the talks can help preserve peace while supporting wider bilateral, regional and international engagement.
Managing the boundary dispute
India’s stated position
India is seeking clearer patrol rules, stronger military communication and possible early agreements in less contentious sectors, while insisting that Eastern Sector stability is essential.
China’s stated position
China supports using the Special Representatives mechanism to continue negotiations and prevent the territorial dispute from obstructing broader cooperation.
Wider bilateral engagement
India’s stated position
India is pursuing restored or expanded flights, visas, pilgrimage access and border trade while linking the relationship’s health to conditions along the border.
China’s stated position
Chinese officials characterize bilateral relations as reaching a new level of development and favor broader engagement as border tensions are managed.
- Disputed frontier
- The Line of Actual Control is described as 3,488 kilometers long.
- Negotiating mechanism
- The Special Representatives framework was established in 2003 and is described by China as the main channel for boundary negotiations.
- Eastern Ladakh
- Earlier disengagement reduced immediate contact, but troops, heavy armour and artillery have not fully returned to their pre-April 2020 bases.
- BRICS Summit
- India is scheduled to host the summit in New Delhi on September 12-13, 2026.
- SCO Summit
- The summit is scheduled for Tianjin on August 31-September 1, 2026.
- Wider normalisation
- The agenda includes passenger flights, visas, the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and border trade through Nathu La and Lipulekh.
- Reported progress
- One article says direct flights have resumed and some visa and investment restrictions have eased, while another describes flights as having remained suspended; the sources therefore differ on the status of flights.
