The Intelligence Bureau (IB) has now set up a desk dedicated just to China that will be headed by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.

The Intelligence Bureau (IB) has now set up a desk dedicated just to China that will be headed by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.

According to the Indian Express "Though the main task of gathering information regarding China rests mainly with the Research and Analysis Wing, the creation of a separate desk for China speaks of the heightened importance the NDA government puts on activities of the neighbouring country, including incursions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC)."

This comes a week after a state-run Chinese daily called on India to adopt a more "pro-active approach" to resolve the boundary issue before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's expected May visit.

The plan for a separate China desk was reportedly on NDA's agenda since they came to power.

On the need for creating this new desk, a top IB official told The Indian Express, "In some places along the LAC, we are the only (official presence). Though there are security forces present, we wanted to create a robust intelligence gathering mechanism."

It was only late last month that Home Minister Rajnath Singh had said, that India had "honest intentions" for an amicable resolution of the border dispute with China and has asked it to come forward to end the differences.

"There is a perceptional difference along the Sino-Indian border. China says here is the border. We say no, here is the border. We have been trying to resolve the border problem. China should come forward. India wants a peaceful resolution of all disputes," he had said.