New Delhi: Defense Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday met his Chinese counterpart Li Shangfu in New Delhi and had a “candid” discussion about the India-China border areas as well as the development of bilateral ties. The Defense Ministry said in an official statement that the senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader conveyed to the Chinese Defense Minister that the development of relations between India and China is based on the ‘prevalence of peace and tranquility’ along the borders.
During the meeting, which reportedly lasted for about 45 minutes, Rajnath Singh also told Li Shanfu that all issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) needed to be resolved as per existing bilateral agreements and commitments.
#Watch , Defense Minister Rajnath Singh holds bilateral meeting with his Chinese counterpart
Singh will chair the SCO Defense Ministers meeting in New Delhi tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/iJ2LHXA5Qn– ANI (@ANI) April 27, 2023
According to the official statement, the Indian minister told his Chinese counterpart that the violation of existing agreements had “undermined the entire basis of bilateral relations” and that the return to the border would logically be accompanied by de-escalation.
Both the ministers candidly discussed the development of border areas as well as bilateral relations.
are also visible #cds General Anil Chauhan and Defense Secretary Sh. @giridhararamane, (2/2) pic.twitter.com/E0ZH4kTx9y– A. Bharat Bhushan Babu (@SpokespersonMoD) April 27, 2023
Senior Chinese officials are in Delhi to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) defense ministers’ meeting on April 28.
It is noteworthy that this is the first visit of the Chinese Defense Minister to India after the violent clash between the Indian and Chinese armies on the LAC in Ladakh’s Galvan Valley in 2020. decade.
Earlier on Sunday, the 18th round of Corps Commander level talks between India and China were held at the Chushul-Moldo border meeting point.
India’s ministry said, “Both sides held frank and in-depth discussions on the resolution of issues related to the LAC in the western sector so as to restore peace and tranquility in the border areas, which would lead to progress in bilateral relations.” The Ministry of External Affairs said in an official statement.
The statement said that following the guidance given by the state leaders and the meeting between the two foreign ministers in March 2023, they exchanged views in an open and frank manner.
“In the interim, both sides agreed to maintain security and stability on the ground in the western sector. Both sides agreed to remain in close contact and maintain dialogue through military and diplomatic channels and work on a mutually acceptable solution to the balance let agreed.” issues at the earliest,” the statement read.
Chinese, Russian Defense Ministers arrive in India for SCO meeting
Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu, barring Russia’s Sergei Shoigu and Pakistan’s Khawaja Asif, their counterparts from other member states of the grouping are set to attend the crucial SCO meeting in Delhi.
In a statement, India’s Defense Ministry said that matters related to counter-terrorism cooperation and regional peace and security will figure prominently in the SCO Defense Ministerial Conference.
It said the theme of India’s chairmanship of the grouping in 2023 is “Secure SCO”.
Rajnath Singh will chair the SCO meeting.
“The Defense Minister will discuss regional peace and security, counter-terrorism efforts within the SCO and other issues related to an effective multilateralism,” the ministry said.
It said India attaches special importance to the SCO in promoting multilateralism, political, security, economic and people-to-people contacts in the region.
“The SCO pursues its policy on the basis of the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations, non-interference in internal affairs, equality and mutual understanding of all member states and respect for the opinion of each of them,” the statement said. ”
The SCO was founded in 2001 at a summit in Shanghai by the presidents of Russia, China, the Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Over the years, it has emerged as one of the largest inter-regional international organizations. India and Pakistan became permanent members in 2017.