Both countries able to solve issues through dialogue: NSA Ajit Doval at India-China border talks

The countries need to send signal to the world that China and India, as 2 ancient civilized countries, have wisdom and ability to solve problems peacefully through dialogue says NSA Ajit Doval during the 21st round of India-China border talks in China.@IndianExpress pic.twitter.com/Nsx8k5dPOK

— zeeshan shaikh (@zeeshansahafi) November 24, 2018

Besides the border dispute, Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi also reviewed the progress made in bilateral ties since the Wuhan Summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping in April. Since the first-ever “informal summit” between PM Modi and President Xi, the two countries have launched a dialogue between trade officials to enhance India’s exports to China to address the over USD 51-billion trade deficit. Negotiations between the special representatives are regarded highly significant by both the countries as they cover all aspects of bilateral ties besides making efforts to resolve the vexed border dispute.

Presenting an upbeat picture of the bilateral ties, Wang said there is an all-round improvement and development momentum, and it is necessary to keep up with the trend and create more favourable conditions for relations between the two countries.

Relationship between two countries is showing an all-round improvement and development momentum, and it is necessary to keep up with the trend and create more favorable conditions for relations says Chinese State Councillor Wang Yi during meet with NSA Ajit Doval.@IndianExpress pic.twitter.com/yrQFwsTpan

— zeeshan shaikh (@zeeshansahafi) November 24, 2018

Doval, on the other hand, assured that India will seek a fair and reasonable solution to border issues that are acceptable for both sides.

Doval and Wang are the designated special representatives for border talks between India and China. This is the first round of talks for Wang after he succeeded State Councillor Yang Jiechi earlier this year. Wang has become the state councillor, a rank higher than the foreign minister in the Chinese government’s hierarchy.

The India-China border dispute covers 3,488-km-long Line of Actual Control. China claims Arunachal Pradesh as part of southern Tibet.

Officials on both sides say a lot of spadework has been done to ensure peace and tranquillity at the border, though the solution to the border dispute is still elusive even after 20 rounds of talks.

Senior defence officials of India and China held the 9th India-China Annual Defence and Security Dialogue in Beijing on November 13 after a one-year gap due to the Doklam standoff. During the meeting, both sides agreed to enhance defence exchanges and interactions.

(Inputs from PTI)