National Security Advisor Ajit Doval is visiting Beijing on August 24 for the next round of India-China Special Representative-level talks on the long-standing boundary issue.
Doval is scheduled to hold discussions with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, with the 25th round of the Special Representatives' talks expected to take place on August 25.
Editorial Insight
Key Highlights
Important points readers should notice.
NSA Ajit Doval is visiting Beijing on August 24. The 25th India-China Special Representative talks are expected on August 25.
Doval will hold discussions with Chinese counterpart Wang Yi. The talks will focus on the India-China boundary issue.
The Special Representatives mechanism was established in 2003. The discussions come ahead of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi.
Chinese President Xi Jinping's participation in the summit is yet to be officially confirmed.
A possible Xi visit could provide an opportunity for a Modi-Xi meeting.
The talks assume significance as India and China continue efforts to manage their boundary-related concerns and maintain momentum in bilateral engagement.
25th Round of Boundary Talks
The Special Representatives' mechanism was established in 2003 to address the India-China boundary question and explore a framework for resolving the dispute.
Editorial Analysis
Why This Matters
The timing of the talks makes the meeting particularly important. The discussions are taking place just weeks before the BRICS Summit, where Chinese President Xi Jinping could potentially meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Progress in high-level India-China dialogue could help create a more stable environment for broader bilateral engagement, while the boundary issue remains one of the most sensitive aspects of the relationship.
Doval and Wang Yi are the designated Special Representatives under this mechanism.
The upcoming meeting will provide the two sides an opportunity to exchange views on the boundary issue and discuss matters related to maintaining peace and stability along the India-China border.
Talks Ahead of Possible Xi Jinping Visit
Doval's visit comes at a particularly significant time in India-China relations, with Chinese President Xi Jinping's possible visit to India for the upcoming BRICS Summit.
The BRICS Summit is scheduled to take place in New Delhi on September 12 and 13.
China has not yet formally confirmed Xi's participation, but officials on both sides are reported to be optimistic about the possibility of his attendance.
If the visit takes place, it could provide an opportunity for Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to hold a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the summit.
India-China Diplomatic Engagement
The latest Special Representative talks follow continued diplomatic engagement between the two countries. Wang Yi last met Ajit Doval in New Delhi in June during a meeting involving BRICS national security advisers.The discussions between the two senior officials have remained an important channel for addressing sensitive issues between India and China.
The Special Representatives' mechanism is particularly significant because it provides a dedicated high-level platform for discussing the boundary question.
Previous Modi-Xi Meeting
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping last met in August 2025 on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin.
The possible visit by Xi to India for the BRICS Summit could therefore become another important opportunity for direct engagement between the two leaders. For India, the outcome of the upcoming Doval-Wang discussions could also help set the tone for broader diplomatic engagement ahead of the BRICS gathering.
