Beijing:
Welcoming National Security Advisor Ajit Doval's appointment as Special Representative for Sino- India boundary negotiations, China today refuted reports that it had sought a higher level official for the talks which have reached a "critical stage" of arriving at a final settlement.
"Doval was selected as the Special Representative of India on China-India boundary issue. China welcomes that and will congratulate him through appropriate channels," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said at a media briefing here.
Answering a question, she, however, refuted reports that China wanted a higher level representation from the protocol point view to match that of Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi, who as Counsellor in the State Council enjoying Minister rank.
"I have never heard that," Hua said about differences over the rank.
Officials here say that China will be happy with Doval's appointment as like his predecessor.
In the past, NSA, with the rank of Minister of State, has generally been the Special Representative on boundary talks with China. However, it was not clear whether Doval, who was appointed NSA in May, has been given the MoS rank now.
Earlier reports in India said that issues of protocol propped up when the government considered options to appoint former Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran as Special Representative for the boundary talks.
src:sify.com