Doval meets China’s Wang Yi, holds ‘constructive and forward-looking discussions’

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi is set to visit India next week for a high-level meeting of National Security Advisers (NSAs) of BRICS member states, signaling continued diplomatic engagement between the two nations amid ongoing efforts to normalize their bilateral relations. This marks Wang’s first visit to India in nearly a year and comes at a time when both countries are working to mend ties after a prolonged period of tension along their shared border.

Wang, who also serves as China’s NSA in his capacity as Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, will arrive in India on June 22 for the BRICS NSAs’ meeting, which is being hosted by India, the current chair of the grouping. The meeting is scheduled to take place until June 23, according to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian, who confirmed the visit during a press briefing in Beijing. Wang’s participation follows his absence from a previous BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting in May, which coincided with U.S. President Donald Trump’s state visit to Beijing. His last visit to India occurred in August 2025, where he met with India’s NSA Ajit Doval and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.

The meeting aims to facilitate dialogue on pressing international security concerns, major global and regional issues, and collaborative strategies to address both conventional and non-conventional security threats. According to Lin Jian, the gathering forms part of broader preparations for the upcoming BRICS Summit, which India is hosting in September. At that summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin are expected to participate alongside other BRICS leaders. Lin emphasized the importance of BRICS in navigating a "transforming and volatile world" marked by rising security challenges, stating that the group plays a pivotal role in advocating for global peace, multilateralism, and more equitable global governance.

During his visit, Wang is anticipated to engage in bilateral discussions with Doval and other BRICS leaders. Although no formal announcement has been made regarding a meeting under the Special Representatives mechanism—typically used for high-level border negotiations—the next such meeting is reportedly planned to occur in China. Despite this, the visit underscores the gradual normalization of relations between India and China since they reached an agreement in October 2024 to resolve a long-standing military standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). This standoff had persisted for over four years and had pushed bilateral relations to one of their lowest points in decades.

In the months following the resolution of the LAC issue, both nations have implemented several measures aimed at restoring trust and improving cooperation. For instance, India has relaxed visa rules for Chinese citizens, while China has eased export restrictions on heavy machinery, rare earth magnets, and fertilizers. Additionally, direct commercial air services between the two countries have been reinstated, and the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage route to Tibet has been revived—a symbolic gesture of improved relations.

On the sidelines of the BRICS NSAs’ meeting, Wang and Doval are expected to review recent developments in their bilateral relationship and acknowledge the progress toward normalization. Their discussions are likely to focus on maintaining stability and predictability in their interactions, which both sides believe are crucial for fostering mutual understanding and trust. Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described the meeting as “constructive and forward-looking,” highlighting the positive trajectory of Indo-Chinese relations.

The visit also reflects the strategic significance of the BRICS forum in shaping global dynamics. As India prepares to host the BRICS Summit later this year, the meeting of NSAs provides an opportunity to align perspectives on global security and economic cooperation. With both China and Russia expected to attend the summit, the discussions could influence the direction of the BRICS agenda moving forward.

Looking ahead, the outcome of Wang’s visit and subsequent bilateral engagements will be closely watched by analysts and policymakers alike. The success of these dialogues could further solidify the thaw in Indo-Chinese relations and pave the way for deeper collaboration on regional and global issues. As both nations continue to navigate complex geopolitical landscapes, their ability to maintain open channels of communication remains critical to ensuring stability and mutual prosperity.