Ajit Doval, Wang Yi hold India-China border talks
What's the story
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held the 21st round of border talks in China's southwestern Sichuan province today.
Besides the border dispute, the two senior officials at the picturesque Dujiangyan city, China would also review the progress made in bilateral ties since the Wuhan Summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping in April, officials said.
Representatives
Doval and Wang are special representatives for India-China border talks
Doval and Wang are the designated special representatives for border talks between India and China.
The talks were expected to be concluded later today.
This is the first round of talks for Wang after he succeeded State Councilor Yang Jiechi earlier this year.
Wang has become the State Councilor, a rank higher than the Foreign Minister in the Chinese Government's hierarchy.
Tentative goals
We managed differences through dialogue and consultation: Chinese FM spokesman
Announcing the talks on November 21, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said, "We've properly managed the differences through dialogue and consultation. The border areas on the whole maintained stability."
Officials maintain that the talks may focus more on reviewing the progress on trade and maintenance of peace at borders than a solution for border dispute as India's headed for general elections next year.
Exports from India
India increasing export of rice, sugar and pharmaceuticals to China
Since the first-ever 'informal summit' between PM Modi and President Xi in Wuhan, the two countries have launched a dialogue between trade officials to enhance India's exports to China to address the over $51 billion trade deficit.
Since then, progress has been made towards increasing India's export of rice, sugar, and pharmaceuticals. This is expected to come under review at the talks, officials said.
Information
India-China border dispute: China claims AP as part of Tibet
Negotiations between special representatives are regarded highly significant by both the countries as they cover all aspects of bilateral ties besides making efforts to resolve the border dispute. India-China border dispute covers 3,488km-long Line of Actual Control. China claims Arunachal Pradesh as part of southern-Tibet.
Doklam standoff
Previous border talks held in the backdrop of Doklam standoff
The last round of border talks, held in New Delhi between Doval and Yang, took place in the backdrop of the 73-day standoff between the two militaries at Doklam over Chinese army's plan to build a road close to India's strategic 'Chicken's Neck' corridor connecting the north-eastern states.
The standoff ended after the People's Liberation Army halted the plans to build the road.
Persistent problem
India and China still searching a solution for border disputes
Officials say even after great efforts by both the countries, the solution to the border dispute is still elusive after 20 rounds of talks.
Senior defense officials of India and China held the 9th India-China Annual Defense and Security Dialogue in Beijing on November 13 after a one-year gap due to the Doklam standoff. During the meeting, both sides agreed to enhance defense exchanges.