To discuss boundary resolution with China, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval on Thursday, 22 November, is set to leave for China’s Chengdu city for the 21st round of the Special Representative Dialogues.
The talks are set to take place on 23 and 24 November, reported the Hindustan Times.
While discussing strategic issues with State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Doval will focus on maintaining the status quo along the Line of Actual Control.
The Special Representative dialogue was initiated in 2003 with the aim of reaching a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution for the India-China border.
Talks on Ind0-China Border
Aksai Chin’s 38,000 square kilometre-land in Ladakh is claimed by India, whereas another 5,180 kilometres had been been illegally ceded by Pakistan to Beijing in 1963. China also controls 90,000 square-kilometres of Arunachal Pradesh, that it calls South Tibet.
According to the Hindustan Times, apart from border resolution, the dialogue aims at maintaining peace along the undefined or loosely-defined LAC.
The Continuous Military Exchange
With 2019 Lok Sabha elections due in few months, bilateral assurance at the border is significant for the Narendra Modi-led government.
The Indian representatives aim to stress on the continuous military exchange between India and China to avoid unilateral steps taken by any one nation.
“As for the issue of the border talks under the strategic guidance of the two leaders, China-India relations have maintained sound momentum of growth. The two sides have maintained close communication and coordination in all border-related affairs,”Geng Shuang, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, reported by Hindustan Times.
‘China’s BRI an Economic Initiative Not Aimed at India’
According to the Hindustan Times, Councillor Wang is expected to put his thoughts forward on China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and assert that it is purely an economic initiative that is not aimed at India.
India opposes the BRI as it passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
US’ Presence in Afghanistan
US’ presence in Afghanistan is another bone of contention between India and China, and is likely to be discussed in the meeting. India wants American troops to remain in the conflict-ridden country, a stand opposed by China.
(With inputs from the Hindustan Times.)
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