Defense Minister Rajnath Singh sent a strong message to his Chinese counterpart Li Shangfu on Thursday, saying that China’s violation of border agreements “eroded” the foundation of bilateral relations and that all disputes involving the frontier must be settled in accordance with the in force agreements. In the midst of the three-year border dispute in eastern Ladakh, Singh also told Li during their almost 45-minute discussion that strengthening relations between China and India is important.
Li’s journey to New Delhi is the first by a Chinese defense minister to India since the border standoff started in May 2020, largely to attend a conference of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
According to government sources, Singh told Li that there should be progress towards de-escalation following disengagement in the last several flashpoints in eastern Ladakh and expressed optimism for a “positive response.”
The two ministers held “frank discussions” concerning the developments in the India-China border regions as well as bilateral ties, according to a statement from the defense ministry.
It said that the growth of ties between India and China is predicated on the predominance of peace and serenity along the borders.
According to the ministry, “He added that all issues at the LAC need to be resolved in accordance with existing bilateral commitments and agreements.”
According to the statement, Singh “reiterated that the entire foundation of bilateral relations has been undermined by violations of existing agreements and that disengagement at the border will logically be followed by de-escalation.”
The discussions took place shortly after Li landed in Delhi for the SCO defense ministers’ conference that India is hosting on Friday.
According to the sources, Singh also told Li that although India wishes to strengthen ties with China, this won’t be possible until the border has been made peaceful and quiet once again.
They said that during the discussion, Defense Minister Singh unequivocally stressed that the establishment of peace and tranquility at the border is a prerequisite for the advancement of military cooperation between the two nations.
Singh tweeted: “Held discussions with China’s Defense Minister, General Li Shangfu, in New Delhi.”
India has been criticizing China for violating agreements on border management by stationing a sizable number of troops near the LAC in eastern Ladakh and acting aggressively.
Days had passed since the 18th round of military negotiations to resolve the border dispute between the Indian and Chinese forces was held when the two defense ministers met.
The two parties agreed to keep in constant contact and find a compromise on the outstanding concerns in eastern Ladakh as soon as possible at the discussions with the Corps Commander on April 23.
However, there was little evidence that the three-year argument was any closer to being resolved.
On March 2, outside of a G20 summit in New Delhi, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar spoke with his Chinese colleague Qin Gang.
In the conversations, Jaishankar told Qin that the current status of ties between China and India is “abnormal.”
In September of last year, the two sides disengaged from Patrolling Point 15 in the Gogra-Hot Springs region in accordance with an agreement made during the 16th round of military negotiations.
Following a bloody altercation at Pangong Lake on May 5, 2020, the eastern Ladakh border standoff broke out.
Following the intense combat in the Galwan Valley in June 2020, which was the biggest military conflict between the two sides in decades, relations between the two nations took a sharp turn for the worse.
The two parties concluded the disengagement procedure on the north and south banks of the Pangong Lake as well as in the Gogra region as a result of several military and diplomatic discussions.
In addition, Singh had separate bilateral discussions and gave gifts to his colleagues from Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, and Iran. We have learned that the Chinese minister received no souvenirs.
Next week, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin will also go to India to attend a meeting of foreign ministers from SCO members in Goa. The event will take place on May 4 and 5.
Under its SCO Presidency, India is hosting the gathering of military ministers.
