Doval named pointsperson for LAC talks

The government on Monday named National Security Adviser Ajit Doval as its special representative on boundary talks with China paving the way for the process to resume soon.

The government on Monday named National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval as its special representative on boundary talks with China paving the way for the process to resume soon.

State Councillor Yang Jiechi is his Chinese counterpart. “Ajit Doval has been appointed as the special representative of India to conduct boundary negotiations and strategic consultations with China,” a PMO statement said.

The NSA has generally been the special representative on boundary talks with China. However, Doval had so far not been nominated as the special representative though he was appointed as NSA in May.

India and China had, in 2003, established the mechanism of special representatives to thrash out a resolution to the boundary question. The unsettled boundary of 3500 km often comes in the way of expanding economic ties with China.

India has to be prepared for a two-front war and build deterrence that ensures conflict is not an option for its adversaries Doval said at the Hindustan Times Leadership summit on Saturday.

However, the NSA expressed optimism that India had been able to engage both countries and “economic inter-dependence” can prove to be a framework to build peace in South Asia.