National Security Advisor Ajit Doval met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi for the 25th round of boundary talks, emphasizing that peace and tranquility along the border have been instrumental in normalizing India-China relations. Doval highlighted that sustained border stability has directly contributed to the improvement of bilateral ties, following the prolonged military standoff in eastern Ladakh.

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi for the 25th round of boundary talks, emphasizing that peace and tranquility along the border have been instrumental in normalizing India-China relations. Doval highlighted that sustained border stability has directly contributed to the improvement of bilateral ties, following the prolonged military standoff in eastern Ladakh.

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi for the 25th round of boundary talks, emphasizing that peace and tranquility along the border have been instrumental in normalizing India-China relations. Doval highlighted that sustained border stability has directly contributed to the improvement of bilateral ties, following the prolonged military standoff in eastern Ladakh.

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval reiterated that the return of normalcy in India-China relations has been a direct result of the two countries maintaining peace and tranquillity along the border, as he held crucial talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his two-day visit to China.

Doval and Wang, the designated Special Representatives for the India-China boundary talks, held the 25th round of discussions on Tuesday, focusing on maintaining stability along the border and further improving bilateral relations.

"The normalcy we have witnessed in our relationship has been a direct result of both sides maintaining peace and tranquillity in the border areas," Doval said, according to news agency PTI.

His remarks come as relations between India and China have been steadily returning to normalcy following the four-year military standoff in eastern Ladakh.

Doval said the two sides had extensively discussed ways to reinforce and consolidate the measures required to maintain peace along the border. "We have extensively talked about it today just to see how to effectively reinforce and further consolidate our efforts to maintain peace and tranquillity in the border areas," he said.

Doval said he was pleased with the progress made in bilateral relations over the past year and linked the improvement directly to stability along the border.

The NSA said the talks were being held in accordance with the guidance provided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

"We meet in keeping with the guidance of our leaders, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping, who have given clear and positive direction to our relationship both at Kazan and Tianjin," Doval said.

The discussions also come ahead of the BRICS summit scheduled to be held in New Delhi on September 12-13.

"I am very happy we are here for the 25th round of talks which are very important, particularly in the wake of the BRICS summit to happen shortly," Doval said.

President Xi is widely expected to attend the summit, although China has not yet confirmed his participation. Officials from both countries are optimistic about the visit, which could provide an opportunity for Xi and Modi to meet on the sidelines.

Wang, meanwhile, said India-China relations have significance extending beyond the two countries and called for greater communication and mutual trust.

"It is important for us to step up communication, to enhance mutual trust, to remove disturbances and overcome obstacles," Wang said.

"We need to be good friends that enjoy good neighbourliness and be good partners that contribute to each other's success," he added.

Wang said he hoped his discussions with Doval would help the two countries properly handle the boundary question while maintaining peace along the frontier.

"I look forward to continuing to have in-depth exchange of views with you on issues of shared interest to better understand each other and to properly handle the boundary question, to not only maintain peace and tranquillity in the border area but also inject new impetus for the bilateral relationship," he said.

Wang described the discussions as "very in-depth and candid" and expressed hope that the two sides would reach "new consensus".

Doval meets Chinese Vice President

Doval, who arrived in China on Monday for a two-day visit, also met Chinese Vice President Han Zheng ahead of the Special Representatives talks.

The two discussed strengthening peace and tranquillity along the border and further improving bilateral relations across economic, political and multilateral forums, in accordance with the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries.

Han said India and China should approach their relationship from a strategic and long-term perspective.

"The two sides should enhance strategic mutual trust, tap the potential for cooperation, maintain close multilateral coordination, properly manage differences, and promote the sustained and stable development of China-India relations," Han was quoted as saying.

Doval also highlighted other signs of improving ties, including the successful conduct of the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra through Nathu La and the resumption of traditional border trade through all three passes.

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