India, China to Hold Key Border Talks Ahead of SCO Summit
\India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval will meet Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in New Delhi on August 18, 2025, for a round of high-level discussions. This meeting is part of the Special Representatives mechanism, a channel dedicated to addressing the longstanding boundary dispute between the two nations and exploring ways to improve bilateral relations.
The talks are expected to cover the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), where tensions have persisted since the Galwan Valley clash in 2020, as well as broader strategic and economic issues.
Preparation for Prime Minister’s Visit
This meeting comes less than two weeks before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled trip to China from August 31 to September 1 to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin. It will be Modi’s first visit to China since the military standoff began in 2020, making the talks between Doval and Wang Yi a crucial step in setting the tone for the summit.
Focus Areas
Officials say the discussions will aim to restore peace along the border, improve mechanisms for crisis management, and expand cooperation in trade, connectivity, and regional security. The meeting is also expected to touch upon multilateral coordination within forums like the SCO and BRICS.
Why This Matters
With both countries playing influential roles in Asia, the outcome of these talks could significantly shape the regional security environment. A successful dialogue may help reduce military friction and reopen channels for deeper economic engagement, benefitting not just India and China but also their partners in the region.
