New Delhi, Dec 16: National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval is expected to travel to Beijing in the coming weeks to lead the Indian delegation at the Special Representatives (SR) dialogue on the boundary issue, authoritative sources have confirmed. This dialogue will mark the 23rd round of talks and will be held after nearly five years.
The last SR dialogue took place in New Delhi in December 2019. The decision to revive the mechanism was made during a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Kazan on October 23.
Upcoming Talks
NSA Doval is set to attend the 23rd round of SR talks, which may take place later this month or in early January. While the venue is yet to be officially announced, preparations for the dialogue have been underway since the diplomatic talks held on December 5.
In this dialogue, NSA Doval represents India, while the Chinese side is headed by Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
Background
The SR dialogue has been on hold for five years due to tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh. The military standoff began in May 2020, followed by a deadly clash in Galwan Valley in June that year, straining ties between the two nations.
However, the recent disengagement from friction points in Demchok and Depsang, completed on October 21, has paved the way for renewed dialogue. This development was followed by a meeting between Modi and Xi on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Kazan, where both leaders agreed to revive various dialogue mechanisms, including the SR talks.
Focus of Discussions
The upcoming talks are expected to address:
- Long-standing boundary disputes.
- Mechanisms to ensure peace and stability along the LAC.
- Ways to prevent future conflicts through strengthened communication channels.
India and China aim to use this dialogue as an opportunity to rebuild trust and address unresolved issues, signaling a cautious but constructive step forward in bilateral relations.
