National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval is going to China tomorrow for special representative-level talks with China on the Line of Actual Control (LAC). According to defense sources, this meeting regarding the India-China border will be held on December 17 and 18. In which Doval will discuss with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. This meeting is being seen as a major step towards resolving the long-standing border dispute between the two countries.

First meeting after the Galwan clash:
This will be the first special representative-level meeting after the Galwan clash. The last such discussion between the two countries was in December 2019. Bilateral relations between the two countries deteriorated after the clash in the Galwan Valley in June 2020. The outcome of the high-level talks will pave the way for the next Corps Commander-level talks. The meeting will be held with the agreement of both countries to discuss during the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination meeting held in New Delhi. Political analysts are indicating that this meeting will open new avenues for peaceful settlement, as well as increase stability. An important agreement was signed between India and China in October itself regarding patrolling on the LAC. Under the agreement, everything on the LAC will be the same as before June 2020. There was tension here after the violent clash between Indian and Chinese soldiers in the Galwan Valley in June 2020. There were many places where patrolling was stopped.

Clashes between India and China at five places on the LAC – Depsang, Demchok, Galwan Valley, Pangong Tso and Gogra Hot Spring. After several rounds of talks in 2020, the armies of both countries withdrew from Galwan Valley, Pangong Tso and Gogra Hot Spring. However, there was a fear of conflict as soldiers were deployed in Depsang and Demchok. But now after the agreement, the armies of India and China have withdrawn from five places and patrolling has started here as before. Patrolling in Depsang is also important from India’s point of view because it is 30 kilometers away from Daulat Beg Oldi Post near Karakoram Pass. There is also a flat area between the hills, which can be used for military activities. While Demchok comes near the Indus River. If China had control here, there was a fear of affecting the water supply in the states of North India.