Rajnath Singh meets Chinese Foreign Minister in Delhi

New Delhi: Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met his Chinese counterpart Li Shangfu in New Delhi on Thursday for a “candid” discussion on developments in the border region and bilateral relations. The senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader made it clear that the development of India-China relations is premised on peace and tranquillity in the border region, the Indian Ministry of Defence said in an official statement. Singh also said that all issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) need to be resolved in accordance with existing bilateral agreements and commitments.

According to an official statement, Rajnath Singh told Lee that violations of existing agreements “have undermined the entire foundation of bilateral relations” and that border disengagement would inevitably lead to de-escalation of the situation.

The senior Chinese official will travel to Delhi on April 28 to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ Meeting.

It is worth noting that this is the first visit to India by the Chinese Defense Minister since the violent conflict between Chinese and Indian troops along the Line of Actual Control in the Kalwan Valley in Ladakh in 2020.

Earlier on Sunday, India and China held the 18th round of Corps Chiefs-level talks at the Chinese meeting point at Chushul and Moldo borders.

“The two sides held candid and in-depth discussions on resolving issues related to the Line of Actual Control in the western sector to restore peace and tranquility in the border areas, which will promote progress in bilateral relations,” the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said in an official statement.

The statement added that in accordance with the guidance of the leaders of the two countries and based on the outcomes of the meeting between the two foreign ministers in March 2023, the two sides exchanged views in an open and candid manner.

“During this period, the two sides agreed to maintain security and stability on the ground in the western section. The two sides agreed to maintain close contact and dialogue through military and diplomatic channels to reach a mutually acceptable solution to the remaining issues as soon as possible,” the statement said.

Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, and defense ministers of other SCO member states except Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif will attend this important SCO meeting in Delhi.

The Indian Ministry of Defense said in a statement that counter-terrorism cooperation and issues related to regional peace and security will be the focus of the SCO Defense Ministers’ Meeting.

It is reported that the theme of India’s chairmanship of the SCO in 2023 is “ensuring the security of the SCO.”

The SCO meeting will be chaired by Rajnath Singh.

“The defense ministers will discuss issues such as regional peace and security, counter-terrorism efforts within the SCO framework, and effective multilateralism,” the Russian Defense Ministry said.

India attaches great importance to the role of the SCO in promoting multilateral, political, security, economic and cultural exchanges in the region.

“SCO policy is guided by the principles of state sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-interference in internal affairs, equality of all member states, mutual understanding and respect for the opinions of all countries.”

The SCO was founded in 2001 at the Shanghai Summit by the presidents of Russia, China, the Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Over the years it has become one of the largest inter-regional international organizations. India and Pakistan became permanent members in 2017.