NEW DELHI(National Times)- India’s top security official arrived in Beijing on Monday for talks on the countries’ disputed Himalayan border, ahead of a BRICS summit next month that New Delhi hopes President Xi Jinping will attend.
India’s foreign ministry said that National Security Adviser Ajit Doval will meet Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi for talks on Tuesday.
“Doval, India’s Special Representative (SR) on the India-China Boundary Question, arrived in Beijing on a two-day visit earlier this afternoon,” the ministry said. Doval will also meet China’s Vice President Han Zheng, it added. The two sides have met repeatedly for talks about their border since a deadly 2020 clash.
“At this meeting, the two sides will, in accordance with the spirit of the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, continue to engage in in-depth communication on the boundary question and jointly safeguard peace and tranquility in the border areas,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told reporters.
The two Asian giants share a 3,500-kilometre (2,175-mile) border, and have in the past accused each other of trying to seize territory.
India’s main opposition party earlier this month said it was “deeply alarmed” by India media reports that Indian and Chinese army patrols came face-to-face in late July in the northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh. India’s government rejected those reports.
China claims Arunachal Pradesh as part of southern Tibet. India says the state is an integral part of its territory. Despite lingering distrust, ties between the neighbours have gradually improved, including through the resumption of direct flights and border trade.
The September 12-13 BRICS meeting will be held in the Indian capital, with the Middle East, trade and the shifting global order expected to feature prominently.
