China, India Vow to Improve Peace on Border

China and India have pledged to improve peace and stability along their disputed border while deepening cooperation across diplomatic and economic fronts, following high-level talks in Beijing between senior officials from both countries.

India's National Security Adviser Ajit Doval met with Wang Yi, Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, in the Chinese capital on Monday. The two sides reviewed the state of bilateral relations and agreed to enhance coordination, especially on security-related issues.

“China and India should see each other as partners, not rivals,” said Wang Yi, calling for both nations to strengthen communication, manage differences constructively, and carefully handle sensitive issues to prevent escalation. He added that both countries should work to address practical concerns at the border and reinforce mutual trust.

Ajit Doval, who also serves as India's Special Representative for the boundary question, echoed the sentiment, stating that India remains committed to maintaining peace along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). He emphasized the importance of handling the boundary question properly and reaffirmed India’s support for improved people-to-people ties.

During the meeting, Doval delivered a strong message on cross-border terrorism and called for action against terror infrastructure. In a reference to Pakistan’s alleged role in regional instability, Doval highlighted the need for both India and China to counter terrorism in all its forms. His remarks follow India’s recent precision strikes on terrorist infrastructure across the border in early May, in response to the Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir.

China condemned the Pahalgam attack but has been criticized in India for its continued military and technological support to Pakistan. No direct meetings were scheduled with Pakistani officials during the ongoing Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meetings, although Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and Pakistan’s new NSA Lt. Gen. Asim Malik are expected to attend.

Doval’s visit to China comes ahead of the 24th round of the Special Representative-level talks on border issues, expected to take place in India later this year. He also reaffirmed India’s support for China’s presidency of the SCO and its upcoming summit in Tianjin.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and China. Both countries agreed to make the occasion a turning point in regional diplomacy by enhancing cooperation on multilateral platforms such as the SCO.

Separately, India is pursuing commercial discussions with China over rare earth mineral supply, a key concern for India's manufacturing sector. “We are in touch with the Chinese side, both here in Delhi as also in Beijing, to bring predictability in supply chains for trade,” said Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.

Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal confirmed that talks are ongoing with Chinese authorities and Indian industry bodies to mitigate potential disruptions to key imports, especially for the automobile sector.