India and China Hold 25th Round of Special Representatives Talks on Boundary Question

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval held Special Representatives talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing on Tuesday. The discussions focused on the India-China boundary question and the overall improvement of relations between the two nations.

The talks mark the 25th round of the Special Representatives mechanism, which was originally established in 2003 to comprehensively address the boundary dispute along the 3,488 km border. Both Doval and Wang serve as the designated Special Representatives for this bilateral framework.

Prior to the formal talks, Mr. Doval called on Chinese Vice President Han Zheng during his two-day visit to Beijing. According to an Indian Embassy statement, the leaders discussed ways to maintain peace and tranquillity in border areas. They also explored avenues to further improve bilateral ties across economic, political, and multilateral fora, following consensus reached by the leadership of both countries.

During their meeting, Vice President Han Zheng stated that India and China should approach bilateral relations from a strategic and long-term perspective. He emphasized the importance of enhancing strategic mutual trust, tapping into cooperation potential, managing differences properly, and promoting stable development.

Bilateral ties between New Delhi and Beijing faced severe strain following the 2020 Galwan Valley clash and a prolonged military standoff in eastern Ladakh. While the two sides have since taken stabilization steps, a final resolution to the boundary dispute remains pending. Nonetheless, officials continue to view the structured Special Representatives mechanism as a useful tool for addressing recurring tensions.

The current round of talks also precedes Chinese President Xi Jinping's anticipated visit to New Delhi for the BRICS summit scheduled for September 12-13. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian noted that President Xi's visit could provide an opportunity for a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the summit to discuss bilateral ties. Prime Minister Modi and President Xi previously met in August 2025 on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin.

During the ongoing discussions in Beijing, the Special Representatives are expected to continue in-depth communication on the boundary question and exchange views on regional and international issues.

"Diplomatic stability and open communication channels between major economies like India and China play a foundational role in fostering a predictable business environment. For enterprises operating in cross-border sectors, sustained bilateral dialogue and reduced geopolitical friction help mitigate supply chain risks and build long-term economic confidence." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes