Indian National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval met with top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi on the sidelines of the BRICS NSAs’ Meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Monday.
Border Dispute
India’s Ministry of External Affairs said in a press release that Doval spoke about the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Western Sector of India and China’s shared border, which has “eroded strategic trust and the public and political basis of the relationship” since 2020, when the Galwan Valley clash occurred.
In addition, Doval “emphasised the importance of continuing efforts to fully resolve the situation and restore peace and tranquillity in the border areas, so as to remove impediments to normalcy in bilateral relations.”
Both sides agreed that their bilateral relationship is “significant not only for the two countries but also for the region and world.”
China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency reported Wang as telling Doval that the two countries “should enhance strategic mutual trust, focus on consensus and cooperation, overcome obstacles,” and stabilise relations as soon as possible.
Indian NSA Ajit Doval, China's Wang Yi hold talks on the sidelines of the BRICS NSAs meet in South Africa; Border issue came during the discussion pic.twitter.com/YGcIXlhHPl
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) July 24, 2023
Wang, who is now the Director of the Office of the Chinese Communist Party’s Foreign Affairs Commission, also stressed that “China will never seek hegemony, and stands ready to work with developing countries, including India, to support multilateralism and the democratisation of international relations, and promote the more just and equitable development of international order.”
Recent Developments
Earlier this month, Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar and Wang agreed to stabilise bilateral ties so that border tensions can be eased.
The two diplomats met on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia, during which, Wang told Jaishankar that both sides needed mutual support instead of suspicion.
Last month, Jaishankar said that relations with China have deteriorated after it “consciously” broke border agreements in 2020 by moving forces along the LAC and attempting to coerce India. The EAM added that China’s lack of commitment to “peace and tranquillity” along the border regions was an “obstacle” in bilateral ties.