India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval arrived in Beijing on Monday for discussions on the long-running border dispute between the two countries, ahead of next month’s BRICS summit in New Delhi, which India hopes Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend.
India’s foreign ministry said Doval, who serves as New Delhi’s special representative on the India-China boundary issue, will hold talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday. He is also expected to meet Chinese Vice President Han Zheng during his two-day visit.
“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.
The two countries have held several rounds of discussions on their disputed Himalayan border since a deadly clash between their forces in 2020.
China said the latest meeting would focus on advancing dialogue in line with agreements reached by the leaders of both countries and maintaining stability along the border.
“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 nuclear-armed neighbours share a 3,500-kilometre border and have repeatedly accused each other of attempting to claim territory.
Earlier this month, India’s main opposition party expressed concern over media reports alleging that Indian and Chinese military patrols had encountered each other in late July in Arunachal Pradesh. The Indian government denied the reports.
China claims Arunachal Pradesh as part of southern Tibet, while India maintains that the state is an inseparable part of its territory.
Despite continuing mistrust over the border dispute, relations between the two countries have shown signs of improvement, including the restoration of direct flights and border trade.
The BRICS summit is scheduled to take place in New Delhi on September 12 and 13, with discussions expected to focus on the Middle East, trade and changes in the global political order.
