'Categorically conveyed that...': Rajnath Singh discusses LAC with Chinese counterpart, first such meeting since Galwan

The Chinese Defence Minister arrived in Delhi on Thursday to attend the SCO Defence Ministers' meeting. This is the first time that a Chinese Defence Minister is visiting India since the 2020 Galwan Valley clash at the Line of Actual Control in Eastern Ladakh, resulting in the death of 20 Indian soldiers.

New Delhi: In a major geo-political development, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held a bilateral meeting with his Chinese counterpart General Li Shangfu in New Delhi on Thursday, the first such meeting of the two premiers since the Galwan clash.

The Chinese Defence Minister arrived in Delhi on Thursday to attend the SCO Defence Ministers' meeting. This is the first time that a Chinese Defence Minister is visiting India since the 2020 Galwan Valley clash at the Line of Actual Control in Eastern Ladakh, resulting in the death of 20 Indian soldiers.

"Development of India-China ties is premised on prevalence of peace and tranquillity at the borders. All issues at LAC need to be resolved in accordance with existing bilateral agreements and commitments," Defence Ministry said in a statement after the meeting.

"Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met State Councillor and Minister of National Defence of China General Li Shangfu in New Delhi. The two Ministers had frank discussions about the developments in the India-China border areas as well as bilateral relations. The Defence Minister 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. He 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," read the Defence Ministry statement.

The Chinese Defence Minister is in Delhi to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ Meeting on April 28 .The ties between India and China have seen a major downfall, especially after China's repetitive attempt to claim the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh as its territory, including Chinese border provocations.

Apart from China, Rajnath also held bilateral meetings with his counterparts in Kazakhstan, Iran, and Tajikistan. During the chaired meetings, bilateral defence-related issues and other matters of mutual interest were discussed by the ministers.

The first bilateral meeting was held with the Defence Minister of Kazakhstan, Colonel General Ruslan Zhaksylykov followed by Iran's Defence Minister, Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Gharaei Ashtiyani, Tajikistan's Defence Minister Colonel General Sherali Mirzo and Chinese Defence Minister Li Shangfu.

India and China recently held the 18th round of the India-China Corps Commander Level Meeting at the Chushul-Moldo border meeting point on the Chinese side. Both countries had agreed to maintain security and stability on the ground in the Western Sector of the LAC. The meeting took place after a gap of five months.

The last meeting between the two sides at the Corps Commander level was held in December last year. On Friday, Rajnath will likely meet his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu and Belarus and Uzbekistan Defence Ministers. The theme of India's Chairmanship of SCO in 2023 is 'Secure-SCO'. India attaches special importance to SCO in promoting multilateral, political, security, economic and people-to-people interactions in the region.

Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is an intergovernmental organization established in 2001. The SCO members include Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan besides India. Apart from the member states, two observer countries Belarus and Iran will also be participating in the SCO Defence Ministers Meeting.