The Indian and Chinese armies are set to hold their first Corps Commander-level meeting in the eastern sector on Sunday at the Wacha-Damai border meeting point in Arunachal Pradesh, with the talks aimed at addressing ongoing issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

The September 6 meeting comes amid continued efforts by New Delhi and Beijing to manage border-related tensions through military and diplomatic channels. The talks follow recent high-level discussions between Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing. 

First Corps-level meeting in eastern sector

The meeting at Wacha is significant because Corps Commander-level discussions between India and China have traditionally been associated with the Ladakh sector, particularly after the 2020 Galwan Valley clash.

The new engagement in Arunachal Pradesh is intended to provide a direct military channel for discussing issues arising along the LAC in the eastern sector. Sources cited in reports said the meeting would focus on addressing the ongoing issues in the area. 

The talks are scheduled to take place on the Indian side at the Wacha border meeting point.

Lt Gen Girish Kalia to lead Indian side

India's delegation will be represented by Lieutenant General Girish Kalia, Commander of the Indian Army's 3 Corps, also known as the Spear Corps.

The Indian Army has two Corps formations responsible for the LAC in Arunachal Pradesh — the 3 Corps based at Rangapahar and the 4 Corps based at Tezpur. 

The eastern sector has remained strategically important because India and China have different perceptions of the alignment of the LAC, which can lead to disagreements and incidents on the ground.

Talks follow recent diplomatic engagement

The military-level meeting comes shortly after discussions between NSA Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

The two sides have been working to strengthen communication mechanisms and maintain peace and stability along the disputed boundary. The latest Corps Commander engagement represents another channel through which local military issues can be addressed without allowing them to escalate.

Recent diplomatic engagement has also been accompanied by discussions on improving military communication between the two sides.

Galwan changed military dialogue

Before the latest initiative in Arunachal Pradesh, Corps Commander-level meetings between India and China were primarily held at the Chusul-Moldo border meeting point in Ladakh.

The mechanism became particularly important following the 2020 military confrontation in eastern Ladakh, when soldiers from both countries suffered casualties during the Galwan Valley clash. Since then, multiple rounds of military dialogue have been conducted to address unresolved issues and prevent further escalation. 

The decision to conduct a Corps Commander-level meeting in the eastern sector therefore marks an expansion of the military dialogue mechanism to another sensitive part of the India-China border.

Arunachal Pradesh remains strategically sensitive

Arunachal Pradesh forms part of India's eastern frontier with China and remains a major area of disagreement between the two countries.

Differences over the LAC have periodically resulted in friction between troops operating in the region. Recent reports have also highlighted tensions around the Taksing area of Upper Subansiri district, adding to the importance of direct military communication in the sector. 

For India, maintaining a strong military posture while keeping communication channels open remains central to preventing local incidents from developing into wider confrontations.

Focus on maintaining border stability

The immediate objective of Sunday's meeting is to address issues along the LAC and maintain peace and tranquillity in the eastern sector.

The talks do not by themselves indicate that a broader boundary settlement has been reached. Instead, they represent a mechanism for the two militaries to communicate directly on operational and local concerns.

The outcome of the Wacha meeting will be closely watched for indications of whether the new Corps-level channel can contribute to reducing friction and strengthening stability along the India-China border.

NSA Ajit Doval met Chinese Vice President Han Zheng in Beijing as New Delhi and Beijing seek to maintain peace along the border and build on recent efforts to stabilise bilateral relations.

India and China discussed ways to strengthen peace and tranquillity in their border areas and improve broader bilateral relations during National Security Adviser Ajit Doval’s meeting with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng in Beijing on Tuesday, August 25. The meeting comes as the two countries continue high-level diplomatic engagement aimed at stabilising ties after years of tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Doval is in Beijing for a two-day visit and is also holding the 25th round of Special Representatives talks on the India-China boundary question with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The Special Representatives mechanism remains the principal structured channel for discussions on the long-running boundary dispute. 

The latest engagement is significant because India has repeatedly maintained that peace and tranquillity along the border are essential for the broader relationship with China. Beijing has also said the two sides should continue communication on the boundary question in accordance with understandings reached by their leaders and work jointly to safeguard peace in border areas. 

Focus on Border Stability

The Doval-Han meeting takes place against the backdrop of continuing differences over the disputed Himalayan boundary, including developments involving Arunachal Pradesh. Relations between New Delhi and Beijing came under severe strain following the 2020 Galwan Valley clash and the prolonged military stand-off in eastern Ladakh.

Since then, both countries have used diplomatic and military channels to manage tensions. The two sides have also taken steps towards gradually restoring broader engagement, although the boundary dispute itself remains unresolved. 

25th Round of Boundary Talks

Doval’s meeting with Han Zheng is taking place alongside the 25th round of the Special Representatives dialogue with Wang Yi. China’s Foreign Ministry said the talks would involve in-depth communication on the boundary question as well as exchanges on bilateral, regional and international issues.

The previous, 24th round of talks was held in August 2025. According to Beijing, the two sides held candid and in-depth discussions during that meeting and reached several common understandings.

India Links Border to Wider Ties

New Delhi has consistently linked the condition of the border with the overall trajectory of India-China relations. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar recently reiterated that peace and tranquillity in the border areas are a prerequisite for good relations between the two countries. 

The position reflects India's approach since the 2020 crisis: progress in other areas of the relationship cannot be separated entirely from stability along the LAC.

Gradual Thaw Underway

The latest diplomatic exchanges come amid signs of a gradual improvement in India-China relations. Doval and Wang Yi had also held discussions in New Delhi in June, when the two sides reviewed bilateral developments and noted progress towards gradual normalisation. 

However, the recent engagement does not mean that all differences have been resolved. The boundary question remains unsettled, while strategic and political differences continue between the two Asian powers.

BRICS Summit in Focus

The diplomatic engagement also comes ahead of the BRICS summit scheduled to be hosted by India in New Delhi on September 12 and 13. Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to attend the summit, although his visit has not yet been officially confirmed. Reuters reported that preparations were underway for a possible visit, which would be Xi's first trip to India in seven years. 

The continuing high-level contacts between the two countries could therefore provide an important channel for managing differences before the summit.

For now, the emphasis from both sides remains on keeping communication open, maintaining peace along the border and preventing unresolved disputes from disrupting the broader relationship. The outcome of the latest Special Representatives talks will offer a clearer indication of whether the recent diplomatic thaw can be sustained.

The possible September visit would be Xi Jinping’s first trip to India in seven years and comes as New Delhi and Beijing work to stabilise ties after the 2020 border crisis.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is likely to visit New Delhi for the BRICS summit on September 12-13, with around 400 Chinese officials expected to accompany him, according to people familiar with preparations. If confirmed, it would be Xi's first visit to India in seven years and a potentially important step in the gradual thaw in relations between the two Asian powers. 

The visit has not yet been officially confirmed by Beijing. China's Foreign Ministry has said it attaches importance to BRICS cooperation and supports India's role as host, but has not provided details of Xi's travel plans. Reuters reported that Chinese officials were working on arrangements including hotel bookings and security preparations in New Delhi. 

The possible visit comes at a particularly important point in India-China relations. Both countries have sought to maintain dialogue after years of military tensions along their disputed Himalayan border, while differences over the boundary and broader strategic issues remain unresolved.

Why Xi's India Visit Matters

Xi's possible arrival in New Delhi would be significant beyond the BRICS agenda. It would provide an opportunity for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Chinese president to hold direct discussions on bilateral ties, including the border situation, trade and other areas where the relationship has remained difficult.

The two leaders last met in August 2025 on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin. Xi's potential return to India would come seven years after his previous visit to the country, when he travelled to India in 2019 for the second informal summit with Modi.

The proposed delegation of about 400 officials would also be considerably larger than the fewer than 200 officials who accompanied Xi during his 2019 India visit, according to sources cited by Reuters. 

Border Issue Still Central

The improvement in diplomatic engagement does not mean the core differences have disappeared.

Relations deteriorated sharply after the deadly 2020 confrontation in eastern Ladakh, which led to a prolonged military standoff and a significant increase in troops and infrastructure along the Line of Actual Control.

Although the two sides reached a disengagement arrangement in October 2024 and subsequently stepped up diplomatic contacts, the boundary dispute remains the biggest strategic issue in the relationship.

That issue is again at the centre of high-level talks on Tuesday, August 25, when National Security Adviser Ajit Dovaland Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi are scheduled to hold the 25th round of India-China Special Representatives talks in Beijing. China has officially confirmed the meeting, saying the discussions will cover the boundary question as well as bilateral, regional and international issues. 

The Special Representatives mechanism was established in 2003 to address the long-standing boundary dispute and provide a channel for political-level dialogue.

Doval-Wang Talks Before BRICS

Doval's Beijing visit is therefore significant in the run-up to the possible Xi visit.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry said the two sides would continue communication in the spirit of understandings reached by their leaders, with the aim of maintaining peace and tranquillity in border areas. 

India has repeatedly maintained that peace and tranquillity along the border are essential for the broader relationship to move forward. The outcome of the latest talks could consequently provide an indication of the diplomatic environment ahead of the BRICS summit.

BRICS Connects to Bhopal

India's BRICS chairship has already brought the grouping's activities to Bhopal, providing Madhya Pradesh with a direct connection to this year's BRICS process.

The BRICS Culture Ministers' Meeting was held in Bhopal in August, following three meetings of the BRICS Culture Working Group under India's chairship. The meeting concluded with the adoption of the Bhopal Declaration, focused on strengthening cultural cooperation among BRICS members and partner countries. 

Xi's possible New Delhi visit would now place the diplomatic dimension of India's BRICS chairship in sharper focus, particularly given the parallel effort by India and China to manage their bilateral differences.

What Happens Next

For now, Xi's participation remains unconfirmed. The Chinese president's attendance is expected to become clearer as preparations for the September 12-13 summit progress.

If he does travel to New Delhi, the visit could provide Modi and Xi with another opportunity to discuss how to consolidate the recent stabilisation in ties while keeping the unresolved border dispute from derailing broader engagement.

The immediate focus, however, will be on the Doval-Wang talks in Beijing and whether the two sides can maintain peace along the border as they prepare for a potentially important Modi-Xi interaction in New Delhi.

National Security Adviser Ajit Doval has arrived in Beijing for the 25th round of India-China Special Representatives’ talks on the boundary question, with the crucial meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi scheduled for Tuesday, August 25. The talks come at a significant moment for bilateral relations, with India preparing to host the BRICS Summit in New Delhi in September and expectations building around a possible visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry has confirmed that Wang Yi, who is also China’s Special Representative for the boundary question, will co-chair the talks with Doval in Beijing on August 25. The meeting is part of the long-running Special Representatives mechanism established in 2003 to work towards a framework for resolving the India-China boundary dispute. 

Border Issue Takes Centre Stage

The immediate focus of the Doval-Wang meeting is expected to remain the boundary question and maintaining peace and stability along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The two countries have continued diplomatic engagement since the military tensions that followed the deadly Galwan Valley clash in 2020.

The Special Representatives mechanism has not produced a final settlement of the boundary dispute, but it remains an important channel for senior-level communication. The two sides have used the platform to discuss border tensions, disengagement-related issues and broader measures aimed at preventing further escalation. 

Why August 25 Talks Matter

The timing of Doval’s visit is particularly important. The talks are taking place only weeks before the BRICS Summit, which India is scheduled to host in New Delhi on September 12-13.

A possible visit by Xi Jinping has added another layer of significance to the diplomatic engagement. While Chinese authorities have not officially confirmed the Chinese President’s India visit, several reports have indicated that preparations are being made for high-level engagement around the BRICS meeting. 

For New Delhi, a stable border environment would provide a stronger foundation for any broader political dialogue. At the same time, India has consistently maintained that peace and tranquillity along the border are essential for sustainable improvement in the wider relationship.

Doval-Wang Dialogue

Doval and Wang are not new to the difficult India-China diplomatic track. Both serve as their respective countries’ Special Representatives on the boundary issue, giving their discussions a mandate that goes beyond routine diplomatic consultations.

The August 25 meeting is also significant because it represents the latest attempt to keep the highest-level boundary dialogue active after years of tensions. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said the two sides would continue communication on the boundary issue in line with understandings reached by the leaders of the two countries and work to safeguard peace in border areas. 

Possible Xi Jinping Visit

The prospect of Xi Jinping travelling to India for the BRICS Summit is closely linked to the current diplomatic activity, although his participation has not been officially confirmed by Beijing.

If the visit takes place, it could potentially provide an opportunity for Xi and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss not only the border situation but also trade, economic relations and other outstanding bilateral concerns. Xi’s last visit to India was in October 2019 for the informal Modi-Xi summit in Mamallapuram. 

Beyond The Border

India-China relations have a much wider economic and strategic dimension. Bilateral trade remains substantial, even as both countries continue to deal with strategic mistrust and security concerns.

For India, the challenge is to pursue diplomatic engagement without diluting its position on border security. For China, rebuilding political confidence with New Delhi would require addressing the concerns that have emerged since 2020.

The August 25 talks are therefore unlikely to produce an immediate solution to the boundary dispute. Their larger importance lies in whether the two sides can keep communication steady, prevent fresh tensions and create enough political space for broader engagement.

With the BRICS Summit approaching, Doval’s Beijing visit could prove to be an important test of how far India-China relations have moved from confrontation towards managed engagement.

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval has spoken publicly about Operation Sindoor for the first time since India's military action against Pakistan in May 2025, saying the country's restraint should never be mistaken for weakness.

In an upcoming two-part Discovery docuseries, Declassified: Operation Sindoor, Doval said India is prepared to take risks and respond forcefully when its national interests or citizens are threatened.

His remarks provide a rare insight into the strategic thinking behind one of India's most significant military operations in recent years.

India Can Hit Hard

Doval said the central objective of Operation Sindoor was to destroy terrorist infrastructure, particularly camps linked to the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 civilians were killed.

“We had decided the objective of the operation as destruction of the enemy camps particularly those who had been responsible for the Pahalgam attack,” Doval said, according to PTI.

He stressed that India's traditional approach of tolerance and restraint should not be interpreted as an inability or unwillingness to respond.

“India can take risks, India can hit hard, irrespective of the consequences,” he said.

Operation Sindoor Background

Operation Sindoor was launched by India following the Pahalgam terror attack of April 22, 2025.

In the early hours of May 7, 2025, Indian forces carried out precision strikes against terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, according to Indian officials.

The operation was presented by New Delhi as a response targeting terror infrastructure connected to the Pahalgam attack.

The military action subsequently triggered a wider confrontation between India and Pakistan, with both sides carrying out military operations.

Message on Restraint

Doval also discussed India's long-standing traditions of tolerance and peaceful coexistence.

He referred to principles including Sarva Dharma Sambhava and Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, saying such values should not be viewed as signs of weakness.

According to the documentary's account, the Pahalgam attack prompted India to challenge that perception and demonstrate that restraint does not mean the country will remain passive when its citizens or national interests are attacked.

The message, Doval suggested, was that India remains committed to peaceful coexistence but will respond when its security is threatened.

88-Hour Conflict

The strikes were followed by military action from Pakistan, leading to further Indian counter-offensives under Operation Sindoor.

The confrontation between the two nuclear-armed neighbours continued for nearly 88 hours before India and Pakistan reached an understanding on May 10, bringing the hostilities to an end.

The episode marked one of the most serious military confrontations between the two countries in recent years.

Documentary to Reveal Details

The upcoming Discovery series will feature first-hand accounts from senior military and national security officials involved in the planning and execution of Operation Sindoor.

Declassified: Operation Sindoor is expected to examine the decision-making process behind the operation, the strategic calculations involved and the challenges faced during its execution.

The documentary will also offer perspectives from officials involved in India's security establishment, providing details about how the military response was planned and carried out.

Doval’s Warning to Pakistan

Doval's comments underline New Delhi's position that India's policy of restraint should not be confused with a lack of resolve.

His remarks also come amid continued attention to India's counterterrorism strategy and its approach to threats emanating from across the border.

The NSA's account in the documentary is likely to draw significant attention as it provides a rare public explanation of the thinking behind Operation Sindoor and the message India sought to send after the Pahalgam attack.

India and China held a fresh round of border discussions under the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on Thursday, with both sides engaging in what the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) described as "frank" exchanges on the Line of Actual Control (LAC), boundary management and broader bilateral issues.

The talks come ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping's proposed visit to India, a development being closely watched amid ongoing efforts by both countries to stabilise ties following years of military tensions along the disputed border.

Focus on Border Stability

According to the MEA, the two delegations reviewed the prevailing situation along the LAC and exchanged views on boundary delimitation, border management, institutional mechanisms and trans-border cooperation.

Both sides reiterated that maintaining peace and tranquillity in border areas remains essential for the overall development of India-China relations.

The Indian delegation was led by Sujit Ghosh, Joint Secretary (East Asia), Ministry of External Affairs, while the Chinese side was headed by Hou Yanqi, Director General of the Boundary and Oceanic Affairs Department of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

India Raises River Data Sharing

During the discussions, India stressed the need for the early convening of the next meeting of the Expert Level Mechanism on trans-border rivers.

New Delhi also emphasised the importance of timely sharing of technical information related to upstream infrastructure projects, an issue that has remained sensitive due to concerns over Chinese projects on rivers flowing into India.

Existing Military Channels to Continue

The two countries agreed to continue using existing diplomatic and military communication channels to prevent misunderstandings and reduce the risk of escalation along the LAC.

These include the WMCC framework, local commander-level meetings and other established mechanisms aimed at addressing unresolved issues through dialogue.

Officials said sustained communication remains critical to maintaining stability in border areas.

Follow-up to Earlier Agreements

The latest WMCC meeting follows the 24th round of Special Representatives' (SR) talks, led by National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

During those discussions, both countries agreed to establish multiple working groups to address long-pending boundary-related issues. These include an expert group for boundary delimitation, another group focusing on border management, and additional General-level mechanisms for the eastern and middle sectors of the border.

These initiatives are intended to institutionalise dialogue and reduce the possibility of future military confrontations.

Relations Improving, Challenges Remain

India-China relations deteriorated sharply after the military standoff that began in eastern Ladakh in 2020, including the deadly Galwan Valley clash, which claimed the lives of 20 Indian soldiers.

Following several rounds of diplomatic and military negotiations, both countries reached an understanding in October 2024 to partially disengage in eastern Ladakh, leading to renewed high-level political engagement.

However, several contentious issues continue to affect bilateral ties, including the unresolved boundary dispute, China's claims over parts of Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh, its continued presence in Aksai Chin, and broader strategic concerns related to regional security.

Diplomatic observers believe the latest WMCC discussions indicate continued engagement between the two sides, although a comprehensive resolution of the decades-old boundary dispute is expected to remain a long-term process.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit the United States; talks covered defence, trade, energy and Indo‑Pacific cooperation

Marco Rubio met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Seva Teerth in New Delhi on Saturday and extended an invitation from US President Donald Trump for a state visit to the United States, officials said. The meeting — held in the morning at the prime minister’s residence complex — came days after Mr. Trump’s high-profile trip to China and was framed by some US outlets as an effort to shore up relations in Asia.

What happened
According to government sources and news agency reports, the bilateral session brought together senior officials from both sides, including External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor and US Under Secretary Allison Hooker. Discussions covered defence cooperation, trade, energy, strategic technologies and coordination on Indo‑Pacific issues, officials familiar with the talks said.

Ground cues and timing
Rubio’s visit to India began in Kolkata earlier in the week, where he visited Mother Teresa House and met local stakeholders. He arrived in New Delhi on Saturday evening for the meeting with the prime minister and will remain in the country for several more days. His stopover precedes a Quad foreign ministers’ meeting in the capital, scheduled for Tuesday, which Rubio will attend alongside counterparts from Australia and Japan.

Officials’ input
“Productive discussions focused on deepening cooperation in security, trade and critical technologies,” US Ambassador Sergio Gor said in a statement after the meeting. He added that stronger collaboration would support “a free and open Indo‑Pacific,” and called India a vital partner for the United States. Indian officials described the exchange as constructive but declined to disclose details on timelines or specific agreements.

Context: Trump’s China trip
Rubio’s outreach follows Mr. Trump’s visit to Beijing last week, during which the US president publicly praised Chinese President Xi Jinping. Several US media outlets portrayed Rubio’s trip as partly a damage‑control measure meant to reassure regional allies unsettled by Washington’s warmer tone toward Beijing. “The visit appears aimed at reaffirming commitment to partners in Asia,” one US analyst told local reporters on condition of anonymity.

Indo‑Pacific and Iran
Sources said the two sides reviewed developments in West Asia, including the evolving Iran situation, and explored options for coordination. Indian and US officials plan to keep lines of communication open on regional security, according to people briefed on the meetings. The Quad session next week is expected to further discuss shared strategic priorities in the Indo‑Pacific and coordinate on ongoing projects.

Economic and tech strands
Trade and critical technologies were central to the talks, with both sides signalling interest in accelerating cooperation in semiconductors, clean energy and defence manufacturing. Discussions also touched on energy security and avenues to expand bilateral investment, particularly in green technology and supply‑chain resilience.

Public impact and local reaction
In New Delhi, reactions were muted and cautious. Diplomatic observers said an invitation for a state visit is significant symbolically but noted that follow‑up — scheduling, protocol and agendas — will determine the diplomatic payoff. Business groups tracking US‑India ties welcomed continued engagement, saying clearer roadmaps on trade and technology would help investors.

Next steps and outlook
Rubio is slated to deliver remarks at the US Embassy Support Annex Building dedication and attend a reception at Roosevelt House hosted by Ambassador Gor. On Sunday he will hold talks with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and participate in the US Embassy’s Independence Day events. He will then travel to Agra and Jaipur before returning to New Delhi for the Quad meeting.

For now, officials from both capitals emphasised sustained dialogue. Whether Rubio’s outreach translates into concrete timelines for a Modi visit to Washington or new bilateral pacts will depend on follow‑up negotiations and calendar coordination in coming weeks.