News Brief
Wang Yi, Ajit Doval Hail ‘Fresh Momentum’ In India–China Talks As Both Sides Eye Boundary Settlement
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval (Pic via MEA) (File Photo)
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday (18 August) said the setbacks in recent years between India and China had not served the interests of the people of either nation, stressing that the present moment offered "an important opportunity of improvement and growth" in ties.
Speaking in New Delhi at the 24th round of Special Representative Level Talks on the boundary question, Wang pointed to the October 2024 meeting in Kazan between President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a turning point that “provided direction for the development of bilateral relations and given fresh impetus” to resolving the long-running frontier dispute, India Today reported.
He recalled that the 23rd round of talks last year had produced consensus on managing disputes, stabilising the Line of Actual Control, and advancing towards a final settlement.
“We identified specific goals and formed a working framework. We are heartened to see the stability that is now restored on the borders,” he said, adding that the present discussions aimed to “build more consensus and identify the direction, the specific goals of the next boundary consultations going forward.”
Wang also underlined Beijing’s expectations from the forthcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, welcoming Wang, spoke of “an upward trend” in engagements in recent months.
“Borders have been quiet. There has been peace and tranquillity. Our bilateral engagements have been more substantial,” he said, attributing the positive shift to the leaders’ meeting in Kazan.
Doval also highlighted the coincidence with 75 years of diplomatic relations. “It’s time to celebrate… we have been able to make it this time,” he remarked.
