Doklam row: India-China bilateral talks ruled out till border standoff is resolved

The bilateral meeting between special representatives on border talks of India and China has been ruled out for now. There was speculation that National Security Adviser Ajit Doval could meet State Councillor Yang Jeichi on the sidelines of BRICS NSAs meet that is being held in Beijing.

China is not keen on any dialogue unless India 'withdraws troops' from Doklam. Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said on Tuesday, "We have stated many times that we hope the Indian side will get a clear understanding of the situation (and) immediately take measures to withdraw the troops that illegally crossed the border back to the Indian side of the border."

India, on the other hand, has not sought any bilateral meeting from the Chinese side. Both sides are playing by the ear. If there is any indication of de-escalation and a window of opportunity opens up, the two sides might reconsider a meeting between the Special Representatives.

NSA Doval will be in Beijing for the BRICS meet between July 27th and 28th.While the current border tensions are at the India-Bhutan-China tri-junction, India and China have an unresolved boundary question that needs to be resolved.

The Special Representatives of India and China were appointed for the same and talks commenced in 2003. In April 2005, the Agreement on the Political Parameters and Guiding Principles for the Boundary Settlement was signed. But since then there hasn't been much forward movement.

The focus of any engagement between the Special Representatives would be to discuss construction of road by China inside Bhutanese territory which is in direct violation of its commitment under the agreements of 1988 and 1998 to maintain the status quo on the boundary.