New Delhi [India], August 23 (ANI): Foreign affairs expert Waiel Awwad on Sunday highlighted the strategic weight of the National Security Adviser Ajit Doval's expected visit to China, noting that it marks a powerful diplomatic signal of India's openness to stable bilateral relations, provided that border tranquillity is maintained.
Speaking with ANI, Awwad emphasised that the constructive bilateral progress depends entirely on resolving territorial disputes.
"This is a very strong message by India letting the National Security Advisor go to Beijing," Awwad stated. "It's a strong message in the sense that India is ready to make good relations with China, provided that the border should be quiet, the tranquillity and stability should be there, and all the disputes should be solved before any kind of an asset or a trust-building measure should be taking place in terms of the economy and the bilateral relations."
The foreign affairs expert further noted that this preliminary step carries broader implications for regional security.
"Secondly, it's also quite important for India and China to be good partners and to stabilise Asia, especially at a time when geopolitical changes are taking place so much, as a first step and having a direct impact on the future stability in South and Southeast Asia," he added.
Addressing External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's remarks that India is interested in a stable bilateral relationship, Awwad said that it signals a clear and deliberate willingness by the Indian government to secure stability with its neighbour.
"Well, I believe there is no yet any confirmation from the Chinese part that the Xi Jinping will come to India. However, I think statement by the Foreign Minister of India gives also a clear indication the keenness and willingness of Indian government to have a stability with the giant neighbor because both are the giant neighbors and we cannot see any kind of confrontation should not we see a kind of a confrontation," he said.
Echoing similar sentiments, foreign affairs expert Robinder Sachdev pointed out the critical timing of the visit ahead of the upcoming 18th BRICS Summit, scheduled to be held earlier this year under India's presidency. He noted the potential of the NSA's reported visit to shape upcoming high-level multilateral engagements, including a potential visit to Chinese President Xi Jinping.
"The visit of NSA Doval to Beijing is coming at a very important time," Sachdev remarked. "We soon also have the upcoming BRICS summit happening in Delhi, in which Xi Jinping could probably be visiting also, and a bilateral with Prime Minister Narendra Modi...it is time for both China and India to look and address the boundary issue honestly."
Sachdev further emphasised the importance of maintaining open channels of communication to foster long-term cooperation between the two nations.
"Both countries are saying the same thing. The issue is to keep the thought going...the two nations have quite a strong degree of cooperation ahead," he said. (ANI)
India is ready to make good relations, provided border is quiet: Expert Waiel Awwad on NSA's China visit
