‘Settling border issue critical for Indo-China ties’

Settlement of the border issue is "critical" for India-China ties, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval said on Friday, as he called for a "larger plan" for "tackling" that country to resolve all ticklish matters.

Doval also said that while India's relations with China "are looking up" there was a need to remain at a "very very high alert". Speaking at the annual K F Rustamji lecture, Doval, who leads the Indian side at the talks of Special Representatives with China, also dwelt on China's emergence as world's economic power and its relations with Pakistan.

The event is organised by the BSF in memory of Rustamji, the founder Director General <g data-gr-id="30">of of</g> the force who retired in late 1960's but was reemployed as first Special Secretary in Ministry of Home Affairs. He is the only police officer who has been <g data-gr-id="28">awarded with</g> Padma Vibushan, country's second highest civilian award.

Doval, a former Intelligence Bureau Chief, <g data-gr-id="21">said</g> "...we might have to see China border in a different way once the boundary is settled....

"We have got a very long border we have got 3,488-km long border, a very difficult and mountainous terrain snow-clad...now for the bilateral relations with China, border is the critical and vital issue," he said speaking on the topic 'Challenges of Securing India’s Borders; Strategising the Response?.

He said all advancement made in the "relationship" with China gets centred around and becomes important on settlement of the border. Doval said while the bilateral relations with China "are looking up" there was a need to remain at a "very very high alert".

"We are particularly concerned about the Eastern sector where the claims have been made on Tawang(in Arunachal Pradesh) which is totally in contravention of accepted principles," Doval said and expressed surprise that while McMahon line was agreed till Burma by China, the same was not accepted thereafter.