India security chief Ajit Doval visits China for border talks

New Delhi: India's top security official arrived in Beijing on Monday for talks on the countries' disputed Himalayan border, ahead of a BRICS summit next month that New Delhi hopes President Xi Jinping will attend.

India's foreign ministry said that National Security Advisor Ajit Doval will meet Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi for talks on Tuesday.

"Doval, India's Special Representative (SR) on the India-China Boundary Question, arrived in Beijing on a two-day visit earlier this afternoon," the ministry said.

Doval will also meet China's Vice President Han Zheng, it added.

The two side have met repeatedly for talks about their border since a deadly 2020 clash.

"At this meeting, the two sides will, in accordance with the spirit of the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, continue to engage in in-depth communication on the boundary question and jointly safeguard peace and tranquility in the border areas," Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told reporters.

The two Asian giants share a 3,500-kilometre.

The September 12-13 BRICS meeting will be held in the Indian capital, with the Middle East, trade and the shifting global order expected to feature prominently.

BRICS was created in 2009 as a forum for major emerging economies seeking greater influence in institutions dominated by Western powers.

The grouping, originally comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, has since expanded.