Full Breakdown
India-China Bilateral Talks Mark Progress Toward Normalisation Amid BRICS NSA Meeting
6/23/2026, 1:57:20 AM
India-China Bilateral Talks Mark Progress Toward Normalisation
On 22 June 2024, India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the BRICS National Security Advisers’ meeting in New Delhi. India’s foreign ministry described the dialogue as constructive and forward-looking, and both sides said it reflected progress toward gradual normalisation of ties.
Background: Recent Thaw in Bilateral Relations
Relations between the two Asian giants deteriorated after a deadly border clash in eastern Ladakh in 2020. A 2024 border agreement sparked a pragmatic thaw, leading to resumed direct flights, eased visa restrictions, the restart of the Kailash-Mansarovar pilgrimage, and incremental steps on trade and investment.
Key Figures & Groups: Ajit Doval and Wang Yi
Ajit Doval, India’s National Security Adviser, chaired the BRICS NSA meeting. Wang Yi, China’s Foreign Minister, also serves on the Communist Party of China’s Political Bureau and acts as Beijing’s special representative on the India-China border, attending the meeting at Doval’s invitation.
Timeline of Recent Engagements
- 2020: Border clash in eastern Ladakh.
- Early 2024: Border agreement; direct flights, visa easing, pilgrimage resumed.
- 22 June 2024: Doval-Wang bilateral talks in New Delhi.
- 2025: Bilateral trade reached a record level.
- September 2024: BRICS leaders’ summit in India; possible visit by President Xi Jinping.
Data & Statistics: Trade and Diplomatic Milestones
The Indian readout noted that bilateral trade peaked at a record level in 2025, although India continues to run a sizable trade deficit. Direct flights between major cities have been reinstated, and partial visa relaxations have increased people-to-people contact.
Why It Matters: Regional Stability and BRICS Dynamics
The talks occur as India chairs the BRICS grouping for the fourth time, with the NSA meeting focusing on “Non-traditional security challenges confronting the world today.” The improved India-China relationship may affect the agenda of the September BRICS summit and broader multilateral cooperation among the eleven member states.
Official Statements & Responses
India’s foreign ministry said the Doval-Wang dialogue was positive and aimed at building a stable, predictable environment for bilateral cooperation. Wang Yi attended as China’s special envoy on the border issue, underscoring a mutual commitment to deepen ties.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
No contradictory accounts of the talks were identified in the sources. The trade figure cited for 2025 is forward-looking and lacks independent verification within the provided material.
Verbatim Quotes
- “constructive and forward-looking” — Indian Ministry of External Affairs
- “gradual normalisation” — Indian Ministry of External Affairs
- “The NSA underlined that stable, predictable and constructive bilateral relations contribute to building of trust and better understanding between the two sides,” — Indian readout
- “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability,” — Prime Minister Narendra Modi
- “Non-traditional security challenges confronting the world today.” — BRICS NSA meeting theme
What’s Next: Upcoming BRICS Summit and Potential High-Level Visits
India will host the BRICS leaders’ summit in September 2024, where President Xi Jinping may visit India for the first time since the 2020 clash. Further high-level dialogues are expected to build on the momentum generated by the Doval-Wang meeting.
