Strong India-China relationship is essential for both countries, also for world: PM Modi

New Delhi, December 23: China’s State Councillor Yang Jiechi and Special Representative of China on the Boundary issue, called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday. Yang Jiechi conveyed the greetings of China President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang to the PM Modi.

During the meeting, Jiechi and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval briefed the Prime Minister on the 20th round of talks between Special Representatives of China and India on the Boundary Question which was held earlier in the day.

Ministry of external affairs said in a statement that the Special Representatives undertook a comprehensive review of earlier rounds of the talks and agreed that an early settlement of the boundary question serves the fundamental interests of both countries.

“They re-emphasized their commitment to achieve a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution to the India-China boundary question at an early date. The two sides agreed that pending the final resolution of the boundary question, it is necessary to maintain peace and tranquility in the border areas.”

The meeting focused on bringing out the full potential of the Closer evelopmental Partnership between the two countries. During the day-long talks the Doklam episode and other concerns pertaining to unresolved issues of boundary between India and China are expected to be discussed.

The last Special Representatives' meeting was held in Beijing in April 2016. India and China dispute their winding border and went to war over it in 1962.

The Doklam standoff began on June 16 over People’s Liberation Army’s plans to build a road in an area claimed by Bhutan after the Indian troops intervened to stop it as it posed a security risk to Chicken Neck, the narrow corridor connecting India with its North-eastern states. The standoff ended on August 28 following mutual agreement between India and China.