December 16, 2024: National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval is set to visit China tomorrow, December 17, for significant discussions with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The meeting will take place at the Special Representatives (SR) level, focusing on the ongoing tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the disputed border between India and China. This will be the first SR-level dialogue since the Galwan Valley clash in 2020 and the first such meeting since December 2019.

The upcoming talks are particularly important as they follow an agreement reached between New Delhi and Beijing two months ago, in October 2024, regarding patrolling arrangements along the LAC. This agreement is aimed at easing tensions and improving the security situation in the India-China border areas.

The India-China border standoff, which began in 2020, has seen heightened military maneuvers by China in Eastern Ladakh, sparking a severe deterioration in bilateral relations. The conflict, particularly the violent skirmishes at Galwan Valley, left a lasting impact on the diplomatic and military ties between the two countries.

The previous SR-level meeting in December 2019, led by Doval on the Indian side and Wang Yi on the Chinese side, occurred before the escalation of tensions. The upcoming talks are expected to focus on various aspects of the LAC dispute, including the clarification and delineation of the border, with the goal of finding a lasting resolution.

Sources suggest that these discussions could lay the groundwork for future meetings, including Corps Commander-level talks, which will address operational issues related to patrolling and the establishment of buffer zones to prevent further confrontations.

Earlier this month, on December 3, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar reaffirmed India's commitment to engaging with China through bilateral dialogue, with the aim of establishing a fair and mutually acceptable framework for resolving the boundary issue.

This visit marks a critical moment in the ongoing efforts by both nations to reduce tensions and establish a more stable framework for managing their contested border. The outcome of these talks will be pivotal in shaping the future of India-China relations and ensuring peace along the LAC.