Ajit Doval meets Chinese vice president Han Zheng ahead of India-China boundary talks

National Security Adviser Ajit Doval on Tuesday called on Chinese vice president Han Zheng in Beijing, ahead of the Special Representatives' talks on the India-China boundary question with Chinese Foreign Minister and Special Representative Wang Yi.

Doval arrived in Beijing on Monday for a two-day visit for the talks, which assume significance as they are being held ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping's expected visit to New Delhi for the BRICS summit on September 12-13.

The meeting with Han Zheng comes amid efforts by India and China to stabilise ties, which came under severe strain following the 2020 Galwan Valley clash and the prolonged military stand-off in eastern Ladakh.

The Special Representatives' talks, scheduled for Tuesday, are expected to focus on the boundary question as well as broader bilateral, regional and international issues.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Monday that Doval and Wang would hold an "in-depth discussion" on the boundary question and other issues of mutual interest.

"The Special Representatives' talks are the main channel for negotiations between China and India on the boundary question, and also an important platform for communication between the two sides on issues of mutual interest," Lin said.

He said the two sides would continue discussions in the spirit of the understandings reached by the leaders of the two countries and work towards keeping border areas "peaceful and tranquil".

The talks are also being held against the backdrop of continuing differences over the border, including Arunachal Pradesh.

The India-China boundary dispute covers a 3,488-km-long frontier. The Special Representatives mechanism was established in 2003 to seek a comprehensive solution to the dispute. While the mechanism has not resolved the boundary question, officials on both sides have regarded it as an important channel for managing tensions and maintaining communication.

In August last year, India and China held the 24th round of Special Representatives' talks, during which the two sides had "candid and in-depth exchanges" on the boundary question and reached several common understandings, according to Beijing.

Doval's visit comes ahead of a potentially significant diplomatic engagement between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Xi Jinping. Xi's expected visit to New Delhi for the BRICS summit could provide an opportunity for the two leaders to meet on the sidelines and discuss measures to take forward bilateral relations.

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