National Security Advisor Ajit Doval arrives in Beijing on Monday to take part in the India-China Special Representatives (SR) talks on the boundary issue, with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi. The two officials hold the 25th round of SR talks on Tuesday, according to official sources cited by both outlets.

The SR mechanism, set up in 2003 to address the India-China border dispute, is seen by officials on both sides as a structured channel for managing recurring tensions, even though it has not resolved the broader boundary issue. The meeting takes place ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s expected visit to India for the BRICS summit on September 12-13, though Xi’s participation is described as not officially confirmed. Both outlets note that optimism on both sides could create an opportunity for Xi to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines.

Ahead of the talks, India’s external affairs minister reiterates that peace and tranquillity along the border are prerequisites for improved relations with China, amid recent reports of Chinese military activity near Arunachal Pradesh’s Upper Subansiri region. China’s foreign ministry spokesman says the border situation is generally stable, and both sides reference maintaining communication through diplomatic and military channels.

Both outlets also cover India’s rejection of China’s naming of places in Arunachal Pradesh, and China’s long-running claim of the state as part of South Tibet.