Two ministers hold ‘frank’ discussions about developments in India-China border areas as well as bilateral relations
New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday, April 27, told his Chinese counterpart Li Shangfu that China’s violation of agreements along the frontier in eastern Ladakh “eroded” the entire basis of bilateral ties and that all issues must be resolved in accordance with the existing pacts, a PTI report in The Tribune, Chandigarh, says.
At a nearly 45-minute meeting with Li, amid the three-year border row, Singh also conveyed to the Chinese defence minister that the development of India-China ties is based on peace and tranquillity along the border.
Li’s visit to New Delhi to attend a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is the first by a Chinese defence minister to India after the eastern Ladakh border standoff began thatin May 2020.
In a statement, the defence ministry said the two ministers had “frank” discussions about the developments in the India-China border areas as well as bilateral relations.
“The Raksha Mantri categorically conveyed that development of relations between India and China was based on prevalence of peace and tranquillity at the borders,” it said.
“He added that all issues at the LAC need to be resolved in accordance with existing bilateral agreements and commitments,” the ministry said.
It said Singh 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.
India has been slamming China’s deployment of a massive number of troops and its aggressive behaviour along the LAC in violation of pacts on border management.
In a statement, the defence ministry said the two ministers had “frank” discussions about the developments in the India-China border areas as well as bilateral relations.
Sources said Singh categorically stated in the meeting that military cooperation between the two countries can progress only if peace and tranquillity is established at the border.
He said after disengagement, there should be movement towards de-escalation and expressed hope for a positive response, they said.
Singh conveyed to Li that India wants to improve relations with China but it can happen only after status quo at the border is restored, the sources said.
The meeting between the two defence ministers took place days after the Indian and Chinese armies held 18th round of military talks on ending the three-year border diispute.
In the Corps Commander talks on April 23, the two sides agreed to stay in close touch and work out a mutually acceptable solution to the remaining issues in eastern Ladakh at the earliest.
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.
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