National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval on Tuesday noted that India-China relations have experienced an "upward trend" and the border areas have remained peaceful since Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping's Kazan meeting last year.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrived in New Delhi on Monday for a two-day visit to discuss major issues like the boundary situation, trade, and resumption of flight services between the two countries.
Doval made his comments at Hyderabad House during the 24th round of Special Representatives (SR) talks on the boundary issue with Wang Yi.
"There has been a positive trend. Borders have remained quiet. There has been tranquillity and peace. Our bilateral interactions have been more meaningful. And we are most thankful to our leaders who, in Kazan last October, were able to establish a new trend, and we have gained enormously since then," Doval added.
He added that the “new environment” shaped by the discussions in Kazan had enabled both sides to advance cooperation in multiple areas.
Looking forward to the ongoing dialogue, Doval expressed confidence that the 24th round would be “equally successful” as the one held last year and noted its “special importance” in the run-up to Prime Minister Modi’s visit to China for the SCO Summit next month.
Since this is the 75th year of diplomatic relations between India and China, Doval described it as a moment to be cherished.
"With the new energy, with the new momentum, with your efforts and with the sense of responsibility and maturity of our diplomatic groups, ambassadors, and also of our armed forces on the borders, we have managed to get here this time," the NSA observed.
On Monday, a day before the SR-level talks, Wang Yi met with External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar too. During the discussion, Jaishankar emphasized carrying the process of de-escalation forward, reiterating that maintaining momentum in India-China relations is all about their capacity to engage together and maintain peace and stability along the border.
