Ajit Doval Meets China’s Han Zheng Ahead of Key India-China Border Talks
BEIJING, August 25, 2026 — India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval met Chinese Vice President Han Zheng in Beijing on Tuesday, ahead of the 25th round of Special Representatives’ talks on the India-China boundary question.
According to the Embassy of India in Beijing, the two officials discussed measures to strengthen peace and tranquillity in the border areas. They also exchanged views on improving bilateral relations in economic, political and multilateral forums, in line with understandings reached by the leaders of the two countries.
Meeting Comes Before Boundary Negotiations
Doval is India’s Special Representative for the boundary question, while Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi serves as China’s Special Representative. The two are scheduled to lead the latest round of negotiations in Beijing.
China’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that Wang Yi and Doval would co-chair the 25th round on August 25. Beijing said the discussions would cover the boundary issue as well as bilateral, regional and international matters.
The Special Representatives mechanism remains one of the principal diplomatic channels for addressing the long-running boundary dispute between the two Asian neighbours.
Border Peace Remains Central Issue
Maintaining stability along the disputed frontier has become a major focus of India-China diplomacy following years of military tensions.
At the latest meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on China-India border affairs on August 6, officials from both countries discussed boundary management and preparations for the 25th round of Special Representatives’ talks. The two sides also agreed to continue diplomatic and military communication and work toward maintaining peace in border areas.
New Delhi has repeatedly emphasized that peace and stability along the border are essential for improving the wider relationship with China.
Wider Bilateral Relationship Also Discussed
The Doval-Han meeting was not limited to the boundary dispute. According to the Indian Embassy, the two sides also discussed opportunities to strengthen cooperation across economic and political areas and through multilateral platforms.
Han Zheng said China and India should view their relationship from a strategic and long-term perspective and implement the important understandings reached by their leaders. Doval, according to China’s Foreign Ministry, said India was ready to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, properly handle the boundary issue and advance bilateral relations.
Talks Follow Previous Agreements
The latest meeting follows the 24th round of Special Representatives’ talks held in New Delhi in August 2025. During that round, the two sides reached several understandings covering border management, communication mechanisms, trans-border rivers and traditional border trade.
They also agreed to establish mechanisms to explore possible early progress on boundary delimitation in appropriate sectors and to improve border management.
The 25th round was subsequently scheduled to take place in China in 2026.
A Potential Step Toward More Stable Ties
The renewed high-level engagement comes as New Delhi and Beijing seek to consolidate a period of improved diplomatic communication after years of strained relations.
The latest talks are therefore significant not only for the boundary question but also for the broader direction of India-China relations. Both countries have indicated that maintaining peace along the frontier is important for creating conditions for greater cooperation in other areas.
The outcome of the 25th round will be closely watched for indications of further progress on border management, confidence-building and the wider relationship between the two major Asian economies.
