Rajnath Singh holds talks with Chinese Defence Minister Li Shangfu; First since Galwan clash | India News – Times of India
NEW DELHI: Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday told his Chinese counterpart Li Shangfu that ties between New Delhi and Beijing are premised on the prevalence of peace and tranquillity at the borders during their bilateral exchange in the national capital.
The Chinese defence minister is in India to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting in the national capital on April 28.
Singh and Li held bilateral discussions in New Delhi ahead of the SCO meeting, where they had “frank discussions” about the developments in the border areas as well as bilateral relations.
Notably, this is the first time that defence ministers of both the countries held bilateral talks since the deadly Galwan clashes between India and China in Eastern Ladakh in 2020.
In a statement after the meeting, the defence ministry said that Rajnath “categorically conveyed that development of relations between India and China is premised on prevalence of peace and tranquillity at the borders”.
“He added that all issues at the LAC need to be resolved in accordance with existing bilateral agreements and commitments,” the statement said.
Rajnath also reiterated that violation of existing agreements has eroded the entire basis of bilateral relations and disengagement at the border will logically be followed with de-escalation.
The meeting comes days after India and China held the 18th round of the India-China Corps Commander Level Meeting at the Chushul-Moldo border meeting point on the Chinese side.
During the meeting, both sides agreed to maintain security and stability on the ground in the Western Sector of the LAC.
Sunday’s military talks came around four months after the last round of the dialogue between the senior Army commanders of the two sides.
India has been maintaining that its ties with China cannot be normal unless there is peace in the border areas.
Chinese foreign minister Qin Gang is also set to visit India next week to attend a conclave of foreign ministers of SCO member countries in Goa. The meeting is slated for May 4 and 5.
SCO meeting
Meanwhile, Rajnath will chair the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) defence ministers meeting on April 28 in New Delhi.
Defence ministers of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan will participate in the meeting.
Pakistani defence minister Khawaja Asif will attend the meeting through virtual mode.
What is the Shanghai Cooperation Organization?
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is an intergovernmental organization that was founded in Shanghai on June 15, 2001. The main goals of the SCO are to strengthen mutual trust and good-neighborliness among member states, promote their effective cooperation in political, trade, economic, and other areas.
How many countries are members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization?
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) has eight member states: China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan
Besides full 8 members, the SCO has four “observer states” interested in acceding to full membership, and six “dialogue partners”.
Observer states: Mongolia, Iran, Belarus, Afghanistan
Dialogue partners: Azerbaijan, Armenia, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Turkey, Nepal, Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia
(With inputs from agencies)
The Chinese defence minister is in India to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting in the national capital on April 28.
Singh and Li held bilateral discussions in New Delhi ahead of the SCO meeting, where they had “frank discussions” about the developments in the border areas as well as bilateral relations.
Notably, this is the first time that defence ministers of both the countries held bilateral talks since the deadly Galwan clashes between India and China in Eastern Ladakh in 2020.
In a statement after the meeting, the defence ministry said that Rajnath “categorically conveyed that development of relations between India and China is premised on prevalence of peace and tranquillity at the borders”.
“He added that all issues at the LAC need to be resolved in accordance with existing bilateral agreements and commitments,” the statement said.
Rajnath also reiterated that violation of existing agreements has eroded the entire basis of bilateral relations and disengagement at the border will logically be followed with de-escalation.
The meeting comes days after India and China held the 18th round of the India-China Corps Commander Level Meeting at the Chushul-Moldo border meeting point on the Chinese side.
During the meeting, both sides agreed to maintain security and stability on the ground in the Western Sector of the LAC.
Sunday’s military talks came around four months after the last round of the dialogue between the senior Army commanders of the two sides.
India has been maintaining that its ties with China cannot be normal unless there is peace in the border areas.
Chinese foreign minister Qin Gang is also set to visit India next week to attend a conclave of foreign ministers of SCO member countries in Goa. The meeting is slated for May 4 and 5.
SCO meeting
Meanwhile, Rajnath will chair the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) defence ministers meeting on April 28 in New Delhi.
Defence ministers of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan will participate in the meeting.
Pakistani defence minister Khawaja Asif will attend the meeting through virtual mode.
What is the Shanghai Cooperation Organization?
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is an intergovernmental organization that was founded in Shanghai on June 15, 2001. The main goals of the SCO are to strengthen mutual trust and good-neighborliness among member states, promote their effective cooperation in political, trade, economic, and other areas.
How many countries are members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization?
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) has eight member states: China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan
Besides full 8 members, the SCO has four “observer states” interested in acceding to full membership, and six “dialogue partners”.
Observer states: Mongolia, Iran, Belarus, Afghanistan
Dialogue partners: Azerbaijan, Armenia, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Turkey, Nepal, Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia
(With inputs from agencies)
