During the meeting, NSA Doval and Vice President Han Zheng discussed ways to further strengthen peace and tranquillity in the border areas and improve bilateral relations between India and China.
The two sides also exchanged views on enhancing cooperation and engagement across economic, political and multilateral fora, in accordance with the consensus reached between the leaders of the two countries.
The meeting took place ahead of the 25th Round of the Special Representatives’ Talks on the India-China Boundary Question, where the two sides are expected to hold discussions on the boundary issue and broader aspects of bilateral relations.
In a post on social media platform X, the Indian Embassy in Beijing said that NSA Doval and Vice President Han discussed ways to strengthen peace and tranquillity in the border areas and further improve bilateral relations.
The discussions also covered ways to enhance engagement across economic, political and multilateral forums, in accordance with the consensus reached between the leaders of the two countries.
Earlier, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said that India and China would continue in-depth discussions on the boundary question in the spirit of the consensus reached between the leaders of the two countries.
He said the Special Representatives’ mechanism on the China-India boundary question serves as the principal channel for boundary negotiations between the two countries and also provides an important platform for dialogue on issues of mutual concern.
Recalling the previous round of talks, Lin Jian said the 24th meeting of the Special Representatives, held successfully in August last year, had involved candid and detailed discussions on the boundary issue, resulting in several understandings between the two sides.
He said the two countries would continue their in-depth discussions on the boundary question during the latest meeting and work together to maintain peace and tranquillity in the border areas. The two sides are also expected to exchange views on bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues.
India has consistently maintained that the situation in the border areas has a direct bearing on the broader India-China bilateral relationship.
Earlier this month, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that India has consistently conveyed to the Chinese side that matters concerning the border areas are taken with utmost seriousness and that maintaining peace and tranquillity in these areas remains of paramount importance.
The two sides had also reviewed the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and held detailed discussions during the 36th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) on August 6.