China’s State Councillor Yang Jiechi (left) and India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval shake h

Chinese state councillor meets Indian counterpart for border talks in New Delhi

Reuters: Chinese State Councillor Yang Jiechi met India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, a close aide of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for the annual boundary negotiations in New Delhi on Friday (December 22).

The meeting is a first between designated special representatives (SR) from the two countries since Chinese and Indian troops ended a standoff in August in disputed Doklam border region - the neighbours’ most serious military confrontation in a decade.

The two representatives are expected to discuss ways to maintain peace and tranquillity along the disputed 3,500-km (2,175-mile) border and are also expected to discuss the Doklam stand-off.

China lays claim to more than 90,000 sq km (35,000 sq miles) disputed by New Delhi in the eastern sector of the Himalayas. India says China occupies 38,000 square km (14,600 sq miles) of its territory on the Aksai Chin plateau in the west.

China and India have tried to develop two-way ties in recent years but there is still deep distrust over the border dispute.