NSA Doval calls on Chinese Vice-President Han Zheng ahead of border talks - The Hindu

**National Security Adviser Ajit Doval meets Chinese Vice‑President Han Zheng ahead of high‑level border talks**

New Delhi’s National Security Adviser, Ajit Doval, paid a courtesy call on Chinese Vice‑President Han Zheng in Beijing on Saturday, a move that the Indian government says is intended to “smooth the diplomatic runway” for the next round of Indo‑China boundary negotiations. The meeting, held shortly after Doval’s earlier talks with Foreign Minister Wang Yi, was described by officials from both capitals as a “constructive dialogue on mutual confidence‑building” and an opportunity to address lingering issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). While no public statements were issued, sources close to the talks indicated that Doval reiterated India’s long‑standing demand for an “all‑sector settlement” that would cover not only the disputed border but also trade, infrastructure and security arrangements.

The vice‑presidential visit comes amid a broader thaw in bilateral relations, highlighted by reports that President Xi Jinping is likely to travel to India next month for the BRICS 2026 summit – his first official trip to New Delhi in seven years. Xi is expected to lead a sizeable Chinese delegation, signalling Beijing’s willingness to engage with New Delhi on multiple fronts, from economic cooperation to regional security. Reuters and other news agencies have noted that the timing of the summit could dovetail with the scheduled boundary talks, offering a diplomatic backdrop that may encourage both sides to explore pragmatic solutions rather than entrenched positions.

Nevertheless, Indian analysts caution that any shift from the “two‑decade‑old” stance on an all‑sector settlement will be measured. The Deccan Herald has highlighted that New Delhi’s policy framework still prioritises a comprehensive agreement that addresses the strategic “dead‑lock” on the LAC, even as it remains open to incremental confidence‑building measures. Observers from the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses stress that while Doval’s outreach to Han Zheng underscores a willingness to engage, the core issues – such as the status of the Doklam plateau and the alignment of border infrastructure – remain unresolved. The outcome of the upcoming talks will likely set the tone for Sino‑Indian engagement in the lead‑up to the BRICS summit and beyond.