India ‘optimistic’ about talks with China, says Ajit Doval

National Security Adviser Ajit Kumar Doval shakes hand with Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi during their meeting, in New Delhi on Monday. (Source: PTI Photo)

Days after the 18th round of talks with China on the border dispute here, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval Friday said the government was “very optimistic” about the talks. Doval, the special representative who engaged in the talks with Chinese State Councillor Yang Jiechi, however, said that there are “certain inalienable positions” from India’s point of view.

Speaking at a seminar at Taj Palace Hotel in New Delhi on Friday afternoon, he said, “We are very happy that rounds of talks are going on, because if they weren’t it would mean that we find that conflict is the only means of resolution. The very fact that we think that there’s a possibility of conflict resolution through engagement which is not conflictual is itself an important thing.”

Responding to a question on whether the latest round of talks would achieve more than previous talks, Doval said, “Whether the results will be better than earlier ones will depend on many things, and I don’t think I am here to comment on them. We are hopeful and very optimistic that there’s a very positive attitude, but there are also certain inalienable positions as far as India is concerned and I think it is important for us to see that our vital national interests are protected.” He said those who engaged in talks with China in the past “must have done a very good job in the given circumstances in which they were operating”.

On China’s expansionism in the Indian Ocean, Doval cited the UN General Assembly Resolution of 1971 declaring it a Zone of Peace. “There should be freedom of sea routes where everyone is free to carry out trade. But building up of naval bases or building up of capacity will not be in the interest of the entire Indian Ocean. The 1971 resolution had said that external powers should keep away.”

Source:: Indian Express