An 'upward trend' in India-China ties: Doval

'Peace and tranquility prevailed in border areas'

- VINAY KUMAR

NEW DELHI: India and China shared the view that peace and tranquility has been maintained in the border areas since the 23rd round of border talks were held in Beijing last December at the Special Representatives level. The two sides agreed that peaceful border areas were a prerequisite to promote overall development of the India-China bilateral relationship, which came under severe strain after the Galwan Valley clashes in 2020.

Under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries and in a positive and constructive spirit, the two sides had a candid and in-depth exchange of views on Tuesday on the India-China boundary question, and the two Special Representatives — National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and the visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi — after holding the 24th round of talks, agreed on five key points, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement. The next round of the SR talks would be held in China.

NSA Doval said there has been an "upward trend" in India-China relations in the past nine months as peace and tranquillity prevailed along the border as he held talks with Chinese.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi on deescalation of the frontier and related issues.

The two SRs stressed upon the need to take a political perspective of the overall bilateral relationship while seeking a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable framework for settlement of the boundary question in accordance with the Agreement on Political Parameters and Guiding Principles for Settlement of the India-China Boundary Question signed in 2005.

According to the MEA statement, the SRs agreed to use the border management mechanisms at diplomatic and military levels to carry forward the process of border management, and discuss de-escalation, beginning with the principles and modalities thereof.