Doval-Wang Yi talks 'forward-looking': MEA on India-China bilateral meet
Synopsis
NSA Ajit Doval and Chinese FM Wang Yi met on the sidelines of the BRICS National Security Advisors' Meeting in New Delhi, with the MEA calling the talks 'forward-looking' and 'constructive.' Wang Yi's call to keep the border issue from overshadowing overall ties — and China's backing of India's BRICS chairmanship — signals a calibrated diplomatic thaw, even as the two sides tread carefully on core sensitivities.
Key Takeaways
NSA Ajit Doval and Chinese FM Wang Yi met on 23 June on the sidelines of the BRICS National Security Advisors' Meeting in New Delhi .
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described the talks as 'forward-looking' and 'constructive' .
Both sides noted progress toward gradual normalisation of India-China bilateral relations.
Wang Yi called for keeping the border issue in 'an appropriate position' so it does not overshadow overall ties.
China expressed support for India's role as rotating chair of BRICS and readiness to strengthen the mechanism jointly.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Chinese Ambassador Xu Feihong were among officials present at the meeting.
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a bilateral meeting on Monday, 23 June on the sidelines of the BRICS National Security Advisors' Meeting in New Delhi, with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) describing the discussions as 'forward-looking' and 'constructive'. The talks reviewed recent developments in bilateral ties and acknowledged progress toward gradual normalisation between the two nations.
What MEA Said
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, speaking at his weekly media briefing on Tuesday, confirmed the meeting and outlined its key thrust. 'The two sides reviewed recent developments in bilateral relations and noted progress towards gradual normalisation in ties,' Jaiswal said. He added that NSA Doval emphasised that 'stable, predictable and constructive bilateral relations contribute to building of trust and better understanding between the two sides.'
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong, and other senior officials were present during the meeting.
Wang Yi's Position on India-China Ties
According to a statement posted on X by Ambassador Xu Feihong, Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated that India and China — as the world's two most populous economies — should view bilateral relations from a long-term perspective and promote cooperation through a global lens. Wang Yi called on both sides to take concrete actions to implement the consensus reached by the two countries' leaders, and to advance their respective development and modernisation goals, including accelerating the modernisation of the Global South.
Wang Yi also expressed China's support for India in its role as rotating chair of BRICS, and signalled readiness to work together to strengthen the BRICS mechanism.
Border Issue and Sensitive Matters
In his post on X, Ambassador Xu Feihong quoted Wang Yi as stressing the importance of mutual respect for core interests and the need to 'properly handle sensitive issues.' Wang Yi reportedly indicated that the China-India border issue should be placed 'in an appropriate position, so that it doesn't affect the overall situation of bilateral relations.' Both sides were also urged to 'actively guide all sectors of society to form a correct understanding' — a signal that public opinion management is seen as central to stabilising ties.
BRICS Meeting Context
India is hosting the two-day BRICS National Security Advisors' Meeting in New Delhi, bringing together top security officials from member countries to deliberate on evolving global security challenges and deepen strategic cooperation. The Doval-Wang Yi bilateral on the sidelines is among the most closely watched engagements of the summit, given the still-sensitive state of India-China relations following the 2020 Galwan Valley clash.
This meeting comes amid a broader, cautious thaw — with both sides having completed disengagement at key friction points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in late 2024. The language of 'gradual normalisation' signals that while diplomatic momentum is building, a full reset remains a work in progress.
Point of View
A posture China has pushed before but which India has historically resisted. The reference to 'guiding public opinion' is also telling: both governments are managing domestic narratives as much as they are managing each other. The real test of this thaw will be whether trade, people-to-people ties, and institutional engagement follow the diplomatic language — or whether 'gradual normalisation' remains a holding pattern dressed in optimistic vocabulary.
NationPress
23 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did NSA Doval and Chinese FM Wang Yi discuss in their meeting?
NSA Ajit Doval and Chinese FM Wang Yi reviewed recent developments in India-China bilateral relations and noted progress toward gradual normalisation during their meeting on 23 June in New Delhi. Doval emphasised the importance of stable, predictable, and constructive bilateral ties for building trust between the two countries.
Where did the Doval-Wang Yi meeting take place?
The meeting took place in New Delhi on the sidelines of the BRICS National Security Advisors' Meeting on 23 June 2025. India is hosting the two-day summit, which brings together top security officials from BRICS member states.
What did Wang Yi say about the India-China border issue?
Wang Yi, as quoted by Chinese Ambassador Xu Feihong on X, said it is important to 'properly handle sensitive issues' and place the China-India border dispute 'in an appropriate position, so that it doesn't affect the overall situation of bilateral relations.' He also called for guiding public opinion in both countries toward a correct understanding of bilateral ties.
What is China's stance on India's BRICS chairmanship?
China expressed support for India in fulfilling its responsibilities as the rotating chair of BRICS and signalled readiness to work with India to promote the development and growth of the BRICS mechanism, according to the statement posted on X by Ambassador Xu Feihong.
What is the current state of India-China relations?
India-China ties are in a phase of cautious, gradual normalisation following the 2020 Galwan Valley clash and subsequent military standoff. Both sides completed disengagement at key friction points along the Line of Actual Control in late 2024, and diplomatic engagement has been incrementally resuming since then.
