National Security Advisor Ajit Doval will visit Beijing on Wednesday to attend the 23rd meeting of the Special Representatives on the India-China boundary question with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
Doval serves as India’s Special Representative on the border issue, while Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, represents China.
Focus of the Meeting
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA):
“The two Special Representatives will discuss the management of peace and tranquillity in the border areas and explore a fair, reasonable, and mutually acceptable solution to the boundary question, as agreed during the meeting of the two leaders in Kazan on October 23.”
Background: Ladakh Standoff
The current tensions between India and China trace back to 2020, when Chinese military actions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh disturbed the existing peace. This led to a prolonged border standoff, significantly straining bilateral relations.
The last Special Representatives’ meeting was held on December 21, 2019, in New Delhi, where Ajit Doval and Wang Yi led their respective delegations.
India’s Position on the Border Issue
Earlier this month, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar reiterated India’s commitment to resolving the boundary dispute through dialogue:
“India remains committed to engaging with China through bilateral discussions to arrive at a fair, reasonable, and mutually acceptable framework for a boundary settlement.”
Jaishankar noted that during his recent discussions with Wang Yi, both sides agreed to convene meetings at the Special Representatives level and the Foreign Secretary-level mechanisms soon.
Current Bilateral Situation
Updating the Lok Sabha on India-China ties, Jaishankar stated that the relationship has been “abnormal” since 2020:
“Peace and tranquillity in the border areas were disturbed as a result of Chinese actions.”
The upcoming 23rd round of talks will be crucial in advancing the ongoing negotiations to restore normalcy and address the broader India-China border dispute.
The meeting comes at a pivotal time when both nations are seeking to ease border tensions while exploring pathways for peaceful coexistence.