NSA Ajit Doval to Visit China for Crucial Talks Under Special Representatives Mechanism

Ajit Doval, India's National Security Adviser, is poised to head to China in the near future with the purpose of advancing discussions aimed at resolving the protracted border dispute between the two nations. This move comes after a successful disengagement of forces along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), according to sources familiar with the situation. The anticipation around Doval's visit underscores a significant step towards addressing the decades-long standoff that has frequently strained India-China relations.

The visit, which is in the process of being scheduled, could see Doval in Beijing either by the end of the year or in early January for discussions under the Special Representatives mechanism on the border issue. This mechanism was established in 2003 with the goal of outlining a settlement for the boundary dispute. Doval's Chinese counterpart in these discussions is Wang Yi, the Chinese foreign minister, marking a continuation of their dialogue since their last encounter in September.

Doval and Wang Yi last convened on the sidelines of a meeting in St. Petersburg on September 12. Their discussions were pivotal in finalizing the arrangements that led to the October 21 agreement on the disengagement of frontline forces at Demchok and Depsang, two critical friction points. This upcoming meeting of the Special Representatives will build on recent high-level engagements between the two countries, including meetings between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, and between the external affairs and defence ministers of the two nations.

Since its inception, the Special Representatives mechanism has conducted 22 formal rounds of talks, the most recent being in 2019. It was specifically created to explore solutions for the border dispute. The mechanism has been instrumental, particularly during the military standoff beginning in April-May 2020, in attempting to de-escalate tensions. Talks under this framework have been crucial, especially in the wake of the Galwan Valley clash in June 2020, which resulted in casualties on both sides and significantly deteriorated India-China relations to a nadir not seen since the 1962 border conflict.

In the aftermath of the recent disengagement, there's cautious optimism about further thawing in the bilateral relationship. Prime Minister Modi and President Xi's decision to revive dialogue mechanisms such as the Special Representatives talks during their October meeting has been a pivotal moment in this process. Following their decision, the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on India-China border affairs convened in New Delhi on December 5, reinforcing the commitment to maintain peace along the disputed frontier in accordance with existing bilateral agreements and protocols.