India, China to Continue In-Depth Talks on Border Dispute, Beijing Says
Beijing — India and China will continue in-depth discussions on their long-running border dispute in line with agreements reached by the leaders of the two countries, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Monday, ahead of a new round of high-level talks in Beijing.
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, India’s Special Representative on the India-China Boundary Question, arrived in Beijing for a two-day visit at the invitation of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who is also a member of the Politburo of the Communist Party of China. The 25th round of the Special Representatives’ Talks on the India-China Boundary Question is scheduled for Tuesday.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian described the Special Representatives’ Meeting as the main channel for negotiations on the boundary dispute and an important platform for discussing issues of mutual concern.
“The Special Representatives’ Meeting on the China-India Boundary Question is the main channel for border negotiations between the two countries and an important platform for communication on issues of mutual concern,” Lin said during a regular media briefing in Beijing.
He said the two sides held the 24th round of talks last August, when they exchanged “frank and in-depth views” on the border issue and reached several areas of agreement.
“At this meeting, both sides will continue in-depth communication on the border issue in accordance with the spirit of the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, and jointly safeguard peace and tranquility in the border areas,” Lin said. “The two sides will also exchange views on bilateral relations and international and regional issues.”
According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, Doval is also expected to meet Chinese Vice President Han Zheng during the visit.
India has repeatedly maintained that peace and stability along the border are essential to improving broader relations with China.
“In matters relating to the border areas between India and China, we have always emphasized in discussions with the Chinese side that we consider these issues as most serious and that the maintenance of peace and tranquility in these areas is of the utmost importance,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said earlier this month.
The two countries also reviewed the situation along the Line of Actual Control during the 36th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs on Aug. 6.
Jaiswal said the Indian side reiterated during those talks that maintaining peace along the border was essential for the overall development of bilateral relations.
Both sides agreed to continue using diplomatic and military channels, including the WMCC, local commander-level meetings and other established mechanisms, to address unresolved issues and reduce the risk of misunderstandings or miscalculations along the Line of Actual Control. (Source: IANS)
