National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi concluded their meeting Wednesday morning in Beijing to discuss thorny bilateral issues. The meeting assumes importance in the context of frozen ties between the two neighbours following the military standoff in eastern Ladakh in early 2020.

The meeting is expected to normalise the relations to the extent possible by at least resuming direct flights between the two countries, easing visa restrictions on visiting Chinese nationals and most importantly allowing Chinese investments.

The twenty-third round of the Special Representatives' talks was held after a five-year gap. Indian NSA and Chinese Foreign Minister are the Special Representatives. The last meeting was held in Delhi in 2019.

Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted PM Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in late October during the BRICS summit triggering efforts to reach a consensus that has led to de-escalation in eastern Ladakh.

Meanwhile, the Hindustan Times reported, that China has constructed at least 22 settlements on land that has historically been part of Bhutan in the last eight years. Since 2020, eight of these settlements have been constructed near the strategically important Doklam plateau.

The Chinese Ambassador to India, Xu Feihong, wrote on X that "China is ready to work with India to implement the important common understandings between the leaders".

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