India and China have agreed to maintain diplomatic momentum toward resolving their long-running boundary dispute after National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a fresh round of talks in Beijing.
The discussions marked the 25th round of the India-China Special Representatives’ talks on the boundary question, with both sides agreeing to continue seeking a “fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable” settlement of the disputed Himalayan border.
Doval, Wang Yi Discuss Boundary Settlement
During the Beijing meeting, Doval and Wang reviewed developments along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and discussed ways to maintain peace and stability in border areas while negotiations toward a broader settlement continue.
According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, the two sides held “constructive and forward-looking discussions” and emphasized maintaining regular diplomatic and military-level communication.
The talks are significant because relations between the Asian neighbours deteriorated sharply following the 2020 Galwan Valley clash, which resulted in the deaths of soldiers from both countries and triggered a prolonged military standoff.
India-China Relations Continue to Improve
Recent years have seen a gradual easing of tensions.
A major breakthrough came in October 2024, when India and China reached an agreement on patrolling arrangements in the Depsang and Demchok areas. That deal paved the way for disengagement at the remaining friction points and helped restart high-level political engagement.
Since then, the two governments have taken steps toward restoring exchanges disrupted by the border crisis, including diplomatic contacts, travel arrangements and other bilateral engagement.
The latest Special Representatives’ meeting indicates that both governments want to prevent unresolved border issues from derailing the broader relationship.
Border Management Measures Discussed
The two sides also discussed practical measures intended to maintain stability along the frontier.
India’s MEA said the Special Representatives agreed to continue using established diplomatic and military mechanisms to manage the situation on the ground. Both countries reiterated the importance of maintaining peace and tranquillity in border areas while negotiations proceed.
A final settlement remains difficult because India and China disagree over large sections of their roughly 3,500-km disputed frontier, stretching from Ladakh in the west to Arunachal Pradesh in the east.
Next Round Expected in India in 2027
India and China agreed that the 26th meeting of the Special Representatives will be held in India in 2027, with the date to be decided through diplomatic channels.
The latest talks do not mean the decades-old boundary dispute has been resolved. However, continued high-level engagement represents another step toward stabilizing ties after years of military and diplomatic tension.
For New Delhi and Beijing, the immediate challenge will be converting the improving political atmosphere into lasting stability along the LAC and measurable progress toward a mutually acceptable border settlement.
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