Indian National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday on the sidelines of the BRICS National Security Advisers' meeting in New Delhi. The talks, described by India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) as "constructive and forward-looking," represent a continued effort to normalise ties between the two Asian giants following years of strained relations after the 2020 border clash.
Constructive Dialogue on Bilateral Relations
Sharing details on X, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, "The two sides reviewed recent developments in bilateral relations and noted progress towards gradual normalisation. NSA underlined that stable, predictable and constructive bilateral relations contribute to building trust and better understanding between the two sides. The discussions were constructive and forward-looking." The Indian delegation included Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, Ambassador Vikram Doraiswami, and Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai.
Context of the Meeting
This dialogue occurs as India holds the chair of the BRICS group, hosting the high-level security meeting in the national capital on Monday and Tuesday. The meeting signals a commitment from both New Delhi and Beijing to stabilise ties after a period of sustained diplomatic friction. The relationship had been under significant strain following a border clash in 2020, which led to heightened military and diplomatic tension. However, in 2024, both nations moved toward de-escalation, and this meeting reflects a shift from confrontation to structured dialogue.
Wang Yi had previously visited New Delhi in August for the 24th Meeting of the Special Representatives, where both sides shared the view that peace and tranquillity had been maintained in the border areas since the 23rd SR Talks. They reiterated the importance of maintaining peace in the border areas to promote overall bilateral relations.
Thaw in Relations
The visit is part of a broader thaw between New Delhi and Beijing, following meetings between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping at key international summits, including the SCO Summit in Tianjin last year. Both leaders welcomed the positive momentum and steady progress in bilateral relations since their last meeting in Kazan in October 2024. They reaffirmed that the two countries are development partners, not rivals, and that differences should not turn into disputes.
The MEA noted in a statement after the leaders' meeting, "A stable relationship and cooperation between India and China and their 2.8 billion peoples on the basis of mutual respect, mutual interest and mutual sensitivity are necessary for the growth and development of the two countries, as well as for a multipolar world and a multi-polar Asia befitting the trends of the 21st century."
