India and China Hold Talks on Border Peace, Bilateral Ties During Doval-Han Meeting

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, who is currently on a two-day visit to China, met Chinese Vice President Han Zheng on Tuesday for discussions aimed at maintaining peace along the India-China border and improving bilateral relations. The meeting took place ahead of the 25th round of talks on the India-China boundary issue, scheduled between Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi later in the day. Doval serves as Indias Special Representative for negotiations on the boundary question.

The Indian Embassy in China said on X that Doval met Vice President Han Zheng on August 25. During their discussions, the two leaders explored measures to maintain peace and stability in border areas and discussed ways to advance bilateral ties in economic, political and multilateral spheres, in line with the understanding reached by the leaders of both countries.

Dovals upcoming meeting with Wang Yi follows their discussions in New Delhi in June, held on the sidelines of the BRICS meeting of national security advisers. At the time, Indias Ministry of External Affairs described the talks as constructive and focused on looking ahead, with both sides reviewing developments in bilateral relations and noting progress toward gradual normalisation. India has repeatedly stressed that stable and predictable relations with China are important for building greater trust and understanding between the two countries.

Dovals visit is also part of broader efforts by New Delhi and Beijing to improve ties following a series of high-level engagements between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Their meetings at international summits, including the SCO Summit in Tianjin, reflected a growing emphasis on maintaining positive momentum in bilateral relations after their October 2024 meeting in Kazan.

Both leaders have stressed that India and China should view each other as development partners rather than rivals, while ensuring that differences do not escalate into disputes. India has maintained that a stable and cooperative relationship between the two countries, based on mutual respect, mutual interests and mutual sensitivity, is important not only for their economic and social development but also for a more balanced and multipolar Asia and global order.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.