National Security Adviser Ajit Doval met Chinese Vice President Han Zheng in Beijing on Tuesday ahead of the 25th round of boundary talks between India and China.

The meeting focused on ways to strengthen peace and tranquillity along the border and improve bilateral ties across economic, political and multilateral forums. According to the Indian Embassy in China, the discussion aligned with the consensus reached between the leaders of the two countries in October 2024.

The meeting comes just before Doval, in his capacity as India’s Special Representative, is scheduled to hold talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the boundary issue. This will be the first meeting between the two Special Representatives in a year.

India and China do not have a formally demarcated boundary, and troops from both sides continue to man positions along the 3,488-km Line of Actual Control (LAC). The two sides have been trying to maintain stability in border areas while also exploring ways to improve broader ties.

During the latest interaction, both sides reportedly discussed the importance of maintaining calm in border regions and carrying forward dialogue to reduce tensions. India has consistently maintained that peace along the border is essential for the overall relationship between the two countries.

The talks are being closely watched as they come at a time when both sides are seeking to keep communication open and avoid fresh friction along the border.