Talks between Indian and Chinese special representatives at Chengdu have ‘underlined the importance of approaching the boundary question from the strategic perspective of India-China relations’.
The talks lasted two days on November 23 and 24.
A statement by the Indian embassy in Beijing said Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi agreed that ‘an early settlement of the boundary question serves the fundamental interests of both countries’.
The two are designated special representatives by their governments for border talks.
They have agreed that pending the final resolution of the boundary question, it is important to maintain peace and tranquility in the border areas and to ensure that the boundary question does not affect the overall development of the bilateral relationship, the statement said.
In this context, they noted the mature handling of issues relating to the India-China border areas since the Wuhan summit.
Stressing the importance of maintaining strategic communication at all levels, the special representatives held discussions on various confidence building measures to promote exchanges and communication between their border personnel.
They called for regular meetings of the bilateral working mechanism on consultation and coordination for border affairs, which periodically meets to deal with issues arising due to aggressive patrols by the two militaries along the LAC.
Doval and Wang also reviewed recent developments in bilateral relations following the Wuhan Summit and subsequent meetings between Prime Minister Modi and President Xi in Qingdao in June 2018 and in Johannesburg in July 2018.
“The two special representatives underlined the importance of sustained and effective implementation of the directions given by their leaders with a view to further strengthening the closer developmental partnership between India and China to mutual benefit and with due respect for each other’s sensitivities, concerns and aspirations,” the statement said.
They shared the view that stable and balanced development of bilateral relations is a positive factor for peace and prosperity in the region and the whole world, it said.
The special representatives also exchanged views on regional and global issues of common interest and agreed to maintain close consultations on such issues, it further stated
The talks were constructive and forward looking, and focused on taking forward the India-China Closer Developmental Partnership in pursuance of the guidance provided by Modi and Xi at Wuhan, the statement also said.
“The Special Representatives undertook a comprehensive review of earlier rounds of talks under the SR mechanism,” it said.
Officials on both sides say a lot of ground work has been done to ensure peace and tranquility at the border, though the solution to the border dispute is still elusive even after 20 rounds of talks.
Modi is keen that in the rundown to the 2019 parliamentary elections, there is no Doklam like standoff on the border with China.
Which is why India has avoided backing a joint statement on the QUAD ( a grouping of US, Japan, Australia and India) and has pitched for not turning it into an anti- China military alliance.