Doval, Wang Yi discusses border issues at 24th round of Special Representative-level talks

By Anjali Sharma

WASHINGTON – India NSA Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi Wang on Tuesday discussed the sensitive border issues between the two nations, according to the Ministry of External Affairs statement issued

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi at Hyderabad House and held the 24th round of the Special Representative-level talks.

Wang is on a two-day visit to India visit, media reported.

Doval in his opening remarks during the meeting, said, “I’m very hopeful that, like the last one, this 24th Special Representative Level Talks will be equally successful.”

He also confirmed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to China to attend the SCO Summit.

“Our Prime Minister will be visiting for the SCO Summit shortly and therefore, I think that these SR-level talks assume a very special importance,” he said.

The talks focused on the de-escalation of troops on the Line of Actual Control. Troops of both India and China are still amassed on the LAC, and both Doval and Wang discussed the de-escalation process.

Modi is expected to visit China later this month to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit.

He is also likely to hold a bilateral with Chinese President Xi Jinping, sources said.

Both India and China want to sort out the most pressing issues to ensure the meeting between PM Modi and President Xi is held in conducive environment.

Wang also met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in Delh, MEA stated.

They discussed a wide range of issues including economic and trade relations, pilgrimages, people-to-people exchanges, river data sharing, border trade, connectivity, and other bilateral matters.

Chinese Foreign Minister in his opening remarks during the meeting with the, Jaishankar said, “This occasion provides us an opportunity to review our bilateral ties. It is also an appropriate time to exchange views on the global situation and on issues of mutual interest.”

He acknowledged that the two countries have experienced a difficult phase, the Minister underlined the need to move forward constructively.

“Having gone through a difficult period in our relationship, our two nations must now seek to move ahead.

Jaishankar said this requires a candid and constructive approach from both sides. In that endeavor, we must be guided by the three mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interest. Differences must not turn into disputes, nor competition into conflict.”