![](https://bharatshakti.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/LT-BSI-Defence.gif")
In a significant diplomatic effort to address bilateral tensions, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will visit India from August 18 to 20. The visit comes ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s planned visit to China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit later this month.
Wang is arriving at the invitation of National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and will lead the Chinese side in the 24th round of Special Representatives’ (SR) level talks on the India-China boundary question. NSA Doval, India’s SR, will hold talks with Wang to explore ways to address the ongoing challenges along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
During the visit, Wang Yi will also hold a separate bilateral meeting with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, according to an official announcement from India’s Ministry of External Affairs. The talks are expected to focus on restoring trust and stability in the relationship, which has remained strained since the deadly 2020 border clash.
A Delicate Diplomatic Recalibration
It will be only the second meeting at the Special Representatives level since the Galwan Valley incident, which marked a turning point in India-China ties. Although there has been partial disengagement at some friction points along the LAC, key areas of concern remain unresolved. Officials on both sides are under pressure to demonstrate progress as political and military leaders prepare for possible high-level interactions in the coming weeks.
Prime Minister Modi is expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping during the SCO summit in Beijing, his first visit to China in seven years. The timing of Wang’s visit is seen as an effort to lay the groundwork for that meeting and ensure a calibrated messaging strategy on both sides.
Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian, commenting on the visit, said that both countries are “maintaining interactions at various levels” and stressed the need to act on the “important common understandings” between their leaders. Lin described the India-China relationship as one of “immense potential” and said deeper cooperation is the “right choice” for both nations.
Expectations and Strategic Calculations
Diplomatic observers believe that while a complete reset in ties is unlikely in the near term, both countries are testing the waters for greater political engagement. The SR talks will likely focus on mechanisms for de-escalation, clearer communication along the LAC, and confidence-building measures to avoid future flashpoints.
Given the broader global context, including tensions in the Indo-Pacific and rising competition among major powers, India and China are also navigating how best to manage their regional roles while preserving national interests.
Team BharatShakti
