China has reiterated its commitment to working with India in a bid to stabilize bilateral relations ahead of the upcoming round of high-level security talks.
The remarks came from Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian on Tuesday, as National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval arrived in Beijing for the 23rd round of the India-China Special Representatives (SR) talks.
The meeting, set to take place on Wednesday, comes at a critical juncture following a recent disengagement agreement between the two countries in the contentious border region of eastern Ladakh.
It is expected to address long-standing concerns over border peace and tranquillity, as well as seek a resolution to the ongoing boundary dispute.
In his statement, Lin emphasised China’s readiness to “sincerely” cooperate with India to implement common understandings reached between the two nations’ leaderships.
He referred to the summit between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Kazan, Russia, on October 24, where the two leaders discussed improving ties and managing differences.
“We are prepared to respect each other’s core interests and major concerns, strengthen mutual trust through dialogue, and resolve differences with sincerity and good faith,” Lin stated. He further noted that China is committed to bringing bilateral relations back to a "stable and healthy development track."
The SR talks, the first formal engagement between the two countries in five years, will focus on the ongoing management of peace along the border areas and efforts to resolve the boundary dispute that has remained unresolved for decades.
The talks follow a significant disengagement agreement reached in October, which saw both nations withdraw troops from the remaining friction points in Demchok and Depsang after a prolonged military standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
An Indian official, speaking ahead of the meeting, stated that the talks would focus on finding a "fair, reasonable, and mutually acceptable solution" to the boundary issue. "We aim to address the management of peace and tranquillity along the border areas," the official added.
The recent disengagement agreement, finalised on October 21, has created a more conducive environment for these critical talks. Both India and China are keen to build on this momentum, with the SR talks serving as a crucial platform for restoring trust and stability to the relationship.
The Special Representatives mechanism, which was established in 2003, has long played a pivotal role in managing the complex and sensitive border dispute. With the last round of talks taking place in 2019, this upcoming session is seen as a vital opportunity for both sides to renew their commitment to constructive dialogue and work toward a peaceful resolution of outstanding issues.
A senior Indian official noted that the talks would serve as a foundation for stabilising relations and opening the door for further dialogue on a range of bilateral matters. "We hope that these discussions will lay the groundwork for promoting stability and progress in our relations," the official said.
