NSA Ajit Doval meets China FM Wang Yi; Beijing says 'ready to work with India'

NEW DELHI: National security advisor Ajit Doval on Wednesday met Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi to discuss the China-India border issue.

Doval headed the Indian delegation in the 23rd round of the Special Representatives' talks, which are being held after a gap of five years. The last meeting was held in 2019 in Delhi.

The two officials were expected to discuss a range of issues to rebuild the bilateral ties following the October 21 agreement of disengagement and patrolling in eastern Ladakh between the two countries.

Meanwhile, the Chinese foreign ministry said that Beijing is ready to work with India to implement important common understandings between the leaders of the two countries and work to bring bilateral relations back on track as soon as possible.

Ahead of a key meet between Doval and Yi, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said that both countries need to respect each other's core interests and major concerns, strengthen mutual trust through dialogue and communication, and properly settle differences with sincerity and good faith.

"China is ready to work with India to implement the important common understandings between the leaders of China and India, respect each other's core interests and major concerns, strengthen mutual trust through dialogue and communication, properly settle differences with sincerity and good faith, and bring bilateral relations back to the track of stable and healthy development as soon as possible," Jian said.

Earlier, EAM S Jaishankar informed the Parliament that the disengagement between India and China has been fully achieved in Eastern Ladakh through a step-by-step process in Depsang and Demchok.

Earlier in October this year, India and China reached an agreement regarding patrolling arrangements along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the India-China border areas.

The border standoff between India and China began in eastern Ladakh along the LAC in 2020 and was sparked by Chinese military actions. It led to prolonged tensions between the two nations, significantly straining their relations.

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