Sikkim standoff: Doval to meet Chinese Prez along with BRICS NSA’s

TIL Desk New Delhi/Beijing/ Amid the Sikkim standoff, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval will call on Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday along with fellow top security officials of the BRICS countries. Officials confirmed that Doval, who will be taking part in the Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa (BRICS) NSAs meeting in Beijing, will be also meeting President Xi.

The group of NSAs would call on the Chinese President for an interaction on security issues relating to BRICS countries. China currently holds the Presidency of the BRICS and is due to hold 2017 summit of the five-member group in September at Xiamen city.

Ahead of his meeting with Xi, Doval is expected to hold separate talks with China’s State Councilor Yang Jiechi to discuss resolution of the standoff at Doklam in Sikkim sector. Both Doval and Yang are Special Representatives of the India-China border mechanism.

China on Tuesday had reiterated that no meaningful dialogue can be held with India until it “unconditionally” withdraws troops from the disputed Dokalam area and said Foreign Minister Wang Yi has authoritatively made Beijing’s position clear on the issue.