New Delhi: India and China took a significant step forward towards further normalisation of ties as their Special Representatives (SRs), NSA Ajit Doval and foreign minister Wang Yi, held talks for the first time in five years under the SR format and, according to an Indian readout, positively affirmed the implementation of the Oct 21 disengagement agreement, resulting in patrolling and grazing in “relevant areas”.
They discussed ways to ensure peace on the ground so that border issues don’t hold back “normal development” of bilateral ties.
Chinese ambassador Xu Feihong said the two sides, that met in Beijing, reached a six-point consensus that included resumption of Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage in Xizang (Tibet), cross-border river cooperation and trade at the Nathu La Pass. China described the “hard-won” talks as constructive, with Wang saying the SR engagement was an important and timely step towards the implementation of the consensus reached by PM Modi and President Xi Jinping in Kazan (Russia) in Oct.
The Indian govt said Doval and Wang also provided “positive directions” for cross-border cooperation and exchanges including resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, data sharing on trans-border rivers and border trade.
The Indian govt said Wang and Doval reiterated the importance of maintaining a “political perspective” of the overall bilateral relationship, while seeking a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable framework for settlement of the boundary question. They resolved to inject more “vitality” into this process. “They agreed on the salience of stable, predictable and amicable India-China relations for regional and global peace and prosperity,” said the govt.
Doval and Wang also underlined the importance of maintaining peace and tranquillity in the border areas to promote overall development of the India-China bilateral relationship, according to the Indian side.
The SR engagement, which last took place in Dec 2019, followed the Oct thaw that saw India and China completing the disengagement process at the remaining friction points — Depsang and Demchok — in eastern Ladakh. This was also the first high-level visit from India to China since the eastern Ladakh border standoff that started in May 2020.
“Drawing on the learnings from the events of 2020, they discussed various measures to maintain peace and tranquillity on the border and advance effective border management. They decided to use, coordinate and guide the relevant diplomatic and military mechanisms towards this purpose,” said the Indian readout. India has said that after disengagement, it’s going to focus on de-escalation and effective management of border activities. Doval also called on Chinese Vice President Han Zheng and invited Wang to India for another round of SR talks.
