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Indian NSA Ajit Doval meets President Xi, but fail to break Doklam logjam

July 29, 2017

BEIJING, July 29 (INP): Indian National security advisor Ajit Doval's meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping did not yield any breakthrough that could end the current standoff in Doklam, Indian media reported on Saturday. Doval met Chinese President Xi Jinping and other senior officials at the summit of Brics national security advisers (NSAs) in the Chinese capital. There has only been a slight improvement of the situation that prevailed after Chinese leaders insisted for weeks that there could be no meaningful dialogue until Indian troops withdraw from their positions at the disputed site in Doklam. There is little possibility of Xi going back on the demand that Indian troops must withdraw ahead of the celebrations of the 90th anniversary of the People's Liberation Army on August 1, a Chinese analyst said. "At best, the high level of belligerence can be allowed to taper off, giving leaders enough time to find a solution. But even this is not easy because there are hawkish voices on both sides," Times of India ,claiming that a Chinese analyst said, requesting anonymity. In appearances before the media, both Doval and the Chinese leaders stuck to the agenda of the security dialogue of Brics countries that brought together top security officials from the member countries. Doval also joined other security officials in calling on Xi, who said that Brics should play a bigger role in international affairs. It was clear that both India and China want to keep the discussion on the Doklam stand-off restricted to the bilateral area instead of making it an issue requiring the attention of Brics. In his speech, Doval said the Brics countries should show "leadership in countering terrorism". INP/AH/LK