Post-Doklam, India to hold 'Track Two' meeting inside China

In a significant development in the wake of Doklam border stand-off, China and India have decided to hold "Track Two" meeting at Minjing resort hotel in the city of Cheng Du in China on November 3rd and 4th.

The Indian delegation led by former foreign secretary Shyam Saran would land in China on November 2nd. The invitation for the "Track Two" was extended by China two weeks after the Doklam crisis.

Sources confirmed to WION that the task for this meeting is to understand both China and India in context of Xi and Modi, two powerful leaders of Asia who hold sway over their respective countries. The job of the participants would be to understand each other's concern.

Sources also said that both countries want to avoid a showdown like Doklam and to this end "Track Two" will have participation by PLA and military from the Chinese side. The idea is to know each other better and discuss contentious issues which cannot be developed outside the public eye. Issues ranging from belt and road project to terrorism would be discussed by the participants.

The issue of border dispute will be discussed between Chen Xiaogong and Jayadeva Ranade. Jayadeva Ranade is a member of the National Security Advisory Board and Chen is former Vice Commander of the Air Force of the PLA and member of the Foreign Affairs Committee.

Professor Madhav Nalapat, Director of Geo Politics will address the session of regional stability and terrorism. His Chinese counterpart would be Hu Shisheng. Hu is the Director of Institute of Contemporary International Relations.

This visit assumes importance as many on the Indian side believe that China wants to understand India’s concern on the belt and road project.

Sources have also told WION that the thrust would be to ensure that in future a situation like Doklam doesn’t arise and China gets to understand the Indian mind under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s dispensation.

Dipankar Banerjee, the Director of Institute of Peace and Conflict in India and Ashok Kantha from Vivekananda Foundation will also attend the "Track Two" meeting.