National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval is expected to visit China soon to participate in the Special Representative (SR) talks on the boundary issue, according to sources cited by news agency on Monday. This visit comes in the wake of recent agreements between India and China regarding patrolling arrangements along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in October, aimed at easing tensions along the disputed border.
The border standoff, which began in 2020 following Chinese military incursions in eastern Ladakh, has severely strained bilateral relations. In a significant move toward resolving the impasse, Doval and China’s then-State Councillor Wang Yi held a telephone conversation in 2020 to address developments in the Western Sector of the LAC.
The Special Representatives mechanism, established to facilitate high-level discussions on the boundary issue, last convened in New Delhi in December 2019, with Doval leading the Indian delegation and Wang Yi representing China. Since then, no formal SR meeting has taken place due to escalating tensions.
India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, recently emphasized the importance of sustained diplomatic engagement with China to restore normalcy in bilateral ties. Addressing the Lok Sabha on December 3, Jaishankar remarked that relations between the two nations have been “abnormal” since 2020 when peace along the LAC was disrupted due to Chinese actions. He noted, however, that recent developments and dialogues have brought about a gradual improvement in relations.
Jaishankar also revealed that during his latest meeting with Wang Yi, an agreement was reached to reconvene the SR and Foreign Secretary-level mechanisms to advance discussions on boundary settlement. These efforts are part of India’s broader strategy to secure a fair and mutually acceptable resolution to the longstanding border dispute.
If the visit materializes, it could mark a critical step in restoring trust and fostering dialogue between the two Asian giants, even as challenges persist in the pursuit of lasting peace and stability along their shared border.
