Ajit Doval appointed special representative in Indo-China border negotiations
24 Nov 2014
National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval has been appointed special representative by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) in border negotiations with China.
Doval, a close confidant of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will lead the negotiations with Chinese state councillor Yang Jiechi to try and reach a negotiated settlement on the disputed border, where tensions have risen in recent months over border patrols.
A settlement of dispute over the 3,500-km border has been clouded by rapidly expanding commercial links.
''Ajit Doval, National Security Adviser (NSA), has been appointed as the special representative of India to conduct boundary negotiations and strategic consultations with China,'' the prime minister's office said in a brief release.
"This arrangement will be part of NSA's overall assignment," the statement added.
Doval is credited with solving several issues, including planning key missions related to Myanmar and China related missions.
His appointment comes at a time when there have been several incidents of tension between the two countries at the border and LAC.
In September this year, Chinese incursions in Ladakh raised security alarms for the Indian government. Indian troops had to even make a tactical retreat of about two kilometers in Chumar.
Before that, the Chinese Army had attempted to enter into the Indian territory riding on horses.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi even raised the border issue with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the latter's visit to India earlier this year.
China lays claim to more than 90,000 sq km on Indian territory in the eastern sector of the Himalayas. India says China occupies 38,000 square km of its territory on the Aksai Chin plateau in the west.
Doval will conduct boundary negotiations as well as strategic consultations with China, PMO said in a statement.
New Delhi has vowed to beef up defences along the border to narrow the gap with China's network of roads and communication links.
Chinese border patrols have of late been intruding deeper into their side of the de facto border, in a sign of assertiveness that has fuelled concern in the region.