India-China boundary talks went 'beyond borders'; Doklam, Masood Azhar, OBOR discussed

Special Representatives of India and China on the Boundary Question met in Delhi today for the 20th round of talks. In the day-long engagement, National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval and China's State Councillor Yang Jiechi discussed key aspects related to the unresolved boundary issues.

In a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs there was emphasis on the "positive" and "focussed" manner in which the two sides wanted to bring out the "full potential" of the 'Closer Developmental Partnership' between the two countries.

Doklam stand-off at the India-Bhutan-China tri-junction, which ended with the August 28 disengagement agreement, was discussed during the talks. Both sides reviewed the situation and decided that it was necessary to maintain "peace and tranquility".

The MEA statement said, "The two sides agreed that pending the final resolution of the boundary question, it is necessary to maintain peace and tranquility in the border areas. In this regard, the Special Representatives exchanged ideas on various confidence building measures."

Earlier in the day, speaking on the Special Representatives talk the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said that it was not only a high-level engagement between India and China but also a mechanism that was of strategic importance.

"This mechanism is not only a high-level channel of dialogue on the border affairs between the two sides but also an important platform for strategic communication between China and India. We know that President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met this year in Xiamen and reached an important consensus," she said.

The meeting was "comprehensive" and both sides agreed for an "early settlement" of the boundary question.

"They re-emphasized their commitment to achieve a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution to the India-China boundary question at an early date. The two sides agreed that pending the final resolution of the boundary question, it is necessary to maintain peace and tranquility in the border areas. In this regard, the Special Representatives exchanged ideas on various confidence building measures", the Indian statement said.

This could be the last meeting wherein a politburo member would represent China for boundary talks. Jeichi's recent elevation in the politburo and the Indian NSA's handle on India's foreign policy allowed the two take the talks beyond the remit of "border talks".

The Special Representatives reviewed the development of India-China bilateral relations. The two sides have agreed to maintain "regular" contact and to advance the development of bilateral relations in all areas given the strained ties between India and China on various issues.

India Today has learnt that China blocking India's move to designate Masood Azhar at the UN was also a topic of discussion. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), also known as One-Belt-One-Road (OBOR), was also taken up.

The Chinese have wanted India to be on-board the project but India conveyed that the projects that run through Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) are in violation of India's territorial integrity.

"They underlined the need for the two countries to build on their convergences, while seeking mutually acceptable resolutions of their differences with due respect for each other's sensitivities, concerns and aspirations," said MEA.

The two sides also acknowledged that as two large developing countries engaged in their national modernisation, relations between India and China "transcend" their bilateral dimensions and have significance for peace, stability and development of Asia and the world.

Yang Jiechi also called on PM Modi and conveyed to him the greetings of President Xi and Premier Li Keqiang. Both the special representatives briefed the prime minister on the 20th round of Boundary Talks.

A statement from the Prime Minister's Office said, "The Prime Minister fondly recalled his visit to Xiamen for the 9th BRICS Summit in September 2017, and his meeting with President Xi Jinping there. The Prime Minister said that a strong India-China relationship is important not only for the mutual benefit of the people of India and China, but also for the region and the world."

ALSO WATCH | India, China agree to disengage on Doklam ending two-and-a-half-month-long standoff