Ajit Doval, Yang Jiechi meet in Beijing, exchange views on bilateral, regional issues

National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi have met in Beijing for bilateral talks, coming amid the on-going border stand-off in Doklam.

Doval, who will on Friday attend a BRICS NSA's summit, and Yang met "separately" on Thursday, the official State-run Xinhua news agency reported. Xinhua said Yang also met separately with NSAs of Brazil and South Africa. China and Russia on Wednesday held a strategic dialogue.

Discussions were held "on bilateral relations, international and regional issues and multilateral affairs" and Yang "set forth China's position on bilateral issues and major problems", Xinhua reported.

It did not say what those "major problems" were and whether the on-going stand-off figured.

Yang was quoted as saying that "it accords with the common interests of the BRICS countries to strengthen their partnership, calling for the five countries to deepen communication, strengthen strategic mutual trust, enhance cooperation on politics and security issues,



safeguard international justice, and promote practical cooperation in various fields in order to benefit the peoples of all countries."

As India Today reported, Doval will also meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday, with the five NSAs set to call on Xi at the Great Hall of the People following the BRICS summit.

China had earlier this week hinted at bilateral talks with India, with the Foreign Ministry saying "usually it is arranged for the heads of delegations to hold meetings to exchange views on bilateral relations and other international issues.

At the same time, spokesperson Lu Kang also stressed that in China's view, "meaningful dialogue" on the stand-off at Doklam was not possible until India withdrew. "China and India have a smooth diplomatic channel," he said.

"The crux now is Indian border troops illegally stayed on China's territory. Once again we urge India to pull back to the Indian side of the boundary. I want to stress that this is precondition for any meaningful talks between the two sides."