Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrived in New Delhi on August 18, 2025, for a two-day visit, marking the 24th round of Special Representatives (SR) talks on the India-China boundary issue. The visit aims to advance key agreements and revitalize stalled boundary negotiations. Wang Yi is scheduled to hold high-level discussions with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, focusing on the border situation and stability along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Concurrently, he will engage in bilateral talks with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to address broader bilateral ties and mutual interests. These engagements precede the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China, scheduled from August 31 to September 1, 2025, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to attend and potentially meet Chinese President Xi Jinping. The diplomatic outreach follows a period of strained relations, notably after the 2020 Galwan Valley clashes. The previous SR talks in December 2024 had resulted in agreements on joint patrolling, indicating a degree of de-escalation after a five-year standoff.
The historical context of these talks is marked by border discussions dating back to the 1960s and the establishment of various mechanisms, including the Joint Working Group and the Special Representatives Mechanism, over the decades to manage the dispute. Wang Yi's visit occurs amidst significant international geopolitical shifts, including U.S. pressure on India regarding its purchase of Russian crude oil. The U.S. has imposed tariffs on Indian goods, citing these oil imports, creating a complex economic and diplomatic environment that may encourage India to seek closer ties with China. This is further evidenced by the upcoming SCO summit and the anticipated resumption of direct flights between the two nations. While the U.S. has imposed tariffs on Indian exports, it has largely exempted China from similar measures, despite China being a larger consumer of Russian oil. This disparity has reportedly led to Indian frustration and a recalibration of its strategic partnerships. Analysts suggest these high-level talks are crucial for shaping future India-China relations, with a continued emphasis on maintaining border peace and enhancing bilateral cooperation. Economically, China remains India's second-largest trading partner, although India faces a substantial trade deficit, which reached $99.2 billion in fiscal year 2024/25. The resumption of border trade, projected to generate $1.5 billion annually, and direct flights are viewed as pragmatic steps toward normalization. India's diplomatic engagement represents a delicate balancing act, navigating its strategic partnership with the U.S. while managing its relationship with China amid global economic pressures and geopolitical realignments.