China 'ready to work with India'

The foreign ministry of China announced on Tuesday that Beijing is prepared to collaborate with India to realize significant mutual agreements established by the leaders of both nations and to restore bilateral relations promptly.

In anticipation of an important meeting between National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, spokesperson Lin Jian emphasized the necessity for both countries to honour each other's fundamental interests and primary concerns. He stressed the importance of enhancement of mutual trust through dialogue and communication, as well as the sincere and good-faith resolution of differences.

"China is ready to work with India to implement the important common understandings between the leaders of China and India, respect each other's core interests and major concerns, strengthen mutual trust through dialogue and communication, properly settle differences with sincerity and good faith, and bring bilateral relations back to the track of stable and healthy development as soon as possible," Jian said.

NSA Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi are scheduled to conduct the 23rd meeting of the Special Representatives in Beijing on Wednesday. This will mark the first high-level discussions of this nature since December 2019.

As stated by the Ministry of External Affairs, the agenda for the talks is anticipated to centre on the border issue between China and India.

"The two Special Representatives will discuss the management of peace and tranquillity in the border areas and explore a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution to the boundary question," The MEA said.

The spadework

EAM S Jaishankar had previously informed Parliament that the disengagement process between India and China in Eastern Ladakh has been completed through a systematic approach in the Depsang and Demchok regions.

In October this year, India and China reached a consensus regarding patrolling protocols along the Line of Actual Control (LoAC) in the border areas between the two countries.

The border standoff between India and China commenced in eastern Ladakh along the LoAC in 2020, triggered by actions taken by the Chinese military. This situation has resulted in extended tensions between the two nations, significantly impacting their bilateral relations.