Doval to talk border issues with China next week

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval will visit China next week to hold informal talks with his Chinese counterpart to discuss the vexed border dispute and other strategic issues, it was announced here today. Doval, who is also the Special Representative for Sino-India boundary talks, will hold informal dialogue with his Chinese counterpart and state councillor Yang Jiechi on January 5 during which both officials would review the progress made on the border issue, Chinese officials told a news agency. During his visit here, Doval would also call on Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on January 6. India and China have so far held 18 round of talks to resolve the dispute along the 3488 km-long border. Besides the annual dialogue on the border, the Special Representatives also meet informally to review the progress and discuss a host of strategic issues concerning bilateral relations including issues related to the neighbourhood.