India’s neighbour China, on Wednesday, presented an upbeat picture of Sino-India ties reflecting a cordial relation between the two countries. This week both the countries are going to have the 21st round of border talks.
The India-China border talks between India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi will be held at the picturesque Dujiangyan near southwest China’s Chengdu city from November 23 to 24.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said, “Under the strategic guidance of the two leaders, China-India relations have maintained sound momentum of growth.
He further affirmed, “With ever-deepening cooperation in all areas, the two sides have maintained close communication and coordination in all border related affairs.”
When questioned on how China views the progress made during the 20th rounds of talks, he said,”We have properly managed the differences through dialogue and consultation. The border areas on the whole maintained stability.”
“The two special representatives will have in-depth exchange of view on border related issues. They will follow the guidance of the consensus reached by the two leaders bearing in mind the general picture of the bilateral ties and benefits of the two peoples on the basis of the outcomes that have been achieved to actively promote the negations. At the same time, we properly manage differences, peace and tranquility at the border areas. The two sides will also exchange views on major issue of bilateral ties and the regional and international issue of mutual interest,” he said.
The last round which was held in New Delhi between Doval and Yang took place in the immediate backdrop of 73-day standoff between the two armies at Doklam over Chinese military’s plan to build a road close to India’s strategic Chicken Neck corridor connecting the northeastern states. Finally the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China halted the plans to build the road.
The last meeting prepared the ground for the informal summit between PM Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping at Wuhan in April, which acted as a stimulus for the improvement of relations in all spheres. Since then, both the countries have held several rounds of talks to enhance India’s exports rice, sugar as well as pharmaceuticals to China to reduce the USD 51 billion trade deficit as well as improving military-to-military relations.
This time the border-talk is likely to focus more on assessing the progress of dialogue regarding trade and maintenance of peace at borders rather than jumping towards solution to the dispute as India heads for general elections next year.