By Abhishek Bhalla , Manjeet Negi/India Today
New Delhi, April 27: Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday held talks with his Chinese counterpart General Li Shangfu, a first since troops of the two nations clashed in Ladakh’s Galwan valley in 2020.
The talks were held on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) defense ministers’ meeting in Delhi.
The two ministers had frank discussions about the developments in the India-China border areas as well as bilateral relations, the defence ministry said in a statement following the meeting.
The statement read: Rajnath Singh categorically conveyed that development of relations between India and China is premised on the 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.
Rajnath Singh also held bilateral meetings with the defense ministers of Kazakhstan, Iran, and Tajikistan. He is scheduled to hold talks with the participating defense ministers on April 27 and 28 where bilateral defence related issues and other matters of mutual interest will be discussed.
INDIA-CHINA BORDER STANDOFF
On Sunday, the 18th round of the Corps Commander-level talks took place between India and China, with both nations agreeing to stay in close touch and work out a mutually acceptable solution to the “remaining issues” in eastern Ladakh at the earliest. However, there was no indication of clear forward movement in ending their three-year-long border standoff.
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