New Delhi: Amid India's tough posture on China's border relations with the country, the neighbouring nation has sought to play truce with its South Asian neighbour.
A day after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh made India's grievances known to China over its 'violation' of border pacts which, he said, eroded bilateral relations, Chinese Defence Minister Li Shangfu tried to project normalcy in ties. Li, who is in New Delhi to attend a meeting of defence ministers of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) states, tried to delink the border standoff with bilateral relationships at a meeting with his Indian counterpart Rajnath Singh on Thursday.
In a separate readout issued by China's Ministry of National Defence on Friday, Shangfu pointed out that the situation along the China-India border is generally stable and the two sides have maintained communication through military and diplomatic channels.
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Rajnath earlier said, " The violation of existing agreements has eroded the entire basis of bilateral relations, and disengagement at the border will logically be followed with de-escalation." Singh categorically conveyed that the development of relations between India and China is premised on the prevalence of peace and tranquillity along the border. He added that all issues at the LAC need to be resolved in accordance with existing bilateral agreements and commitments.
Li further noted that the two sides should take a 'long-term view', and place the border issue in an appropriate position for smooth bilateral relations. "It is hoped that the two sides will work together to continuously enhance mutual trust between the two militaries and make proper contributions for the development of bilateral relations", China's defence minister said. Shangfu met Singh on April 27. The two sides exchanged views on relations between the two countries. Li harped on common interests than differences between two countries. The two sides should view bilateral relations and each other's development from a comprehensive, long-term, and strategic perspective, and jointly contribute wisdom and strength to world and regional peace and stability, he said.
India-China ties are currently at an all-time low because of the standoff in the Ladakh sector of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and also over China's frequent claim of Arunachal Pradesh as its own territory.
