Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s two-day visit to India (beginning August 18, 2025) is part of a diplomatic effort to stabilize and improve bilateral ties ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit to China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit at the end of the month.

Purpose of the Visit

• Resetting Relations:
  The visit is seen as an outreach to ease ongoing tensions that have persisted since the 2020 Galwan Valley clash.
  Both countries are seeking durable peace and normalization along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), where about 50,000–60,000 troops from each side remain deployed in Eastern Ladakh.

• Preparation for Modi’s China Trip:
  Wang’s trip sets the stage for the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to China since 2018, signaling possible diplomatic thawing and groundwork for future cooperation.

Key Issues to Be Discussed with NSA Ajit Doval

1. Border Dispute and Military De-escalation

   • Wang and Doval are the appointed Special Representatives for India-China border talks.

   • The focus will be on practical measures to achieve “permanent peace and stability” at the India-China border—potentially through new agreements on patrol protocols, buffer zones, and conflict avoidance.

   • Dialogue also aims to restore confidence after disengagement agreements, addressing continued standoffs in areas like Depsang, Demchok, and Chushul.

2. Bilateral Trade and Economic Cooperation

   • Ongoing US-India trade tensions (e.g., high tariffs imposed by the US) make Indo-China trade increasingly relevant.

   • Discussion may include joint strategies for trade, technology exchange, and restoring direct flight connections.

3. Strategic and Water Security Concerns

   • India may raise the issue of China’s water infrastructure projects (like the massive Medog Dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo/Brahmaputra river system) due to their potential downstream impact on Indian water resources.

4. Flight Restoration and Connectivity

   • Both sides are expected to discuss the resumption of direct India-China flight services, suspended since the COVID-19 pandemic and border crises.

Wang Yi’s Schedule

• Arrives in New Delhi at 4:15 pm (Monday)

• Bilateral talks with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar at 6 pm (Monday)

• Border issue discussion with NSA Ajit Doval at 11 am (Tuesday)

• Concludes visit with a meeting with PM Narendra Modi at 5:30 pm (Tuesday)