What Did India's Defence Minister Propose to China During Recent Talks?

Bilateral Discussions in Qingdao
Qingdao: During a recent meeting in Qingdao, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh urged his Chinese counterpart, Dong Jun, to address the 'complex issues' between India and China through a structured approach aimed at reducing tensions along their shared borders.
The discussions took place on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, focusing on ensuring peace along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
Singh highlighted the importance of fostering 'good neighbourly conditions' to maximize mutual benefits and called for immediate actions to mend the 'trust deficit' that arose from the 2020 border standoff, as per an Indian government statement.
He also informed Dong about the recent terror attack in Pahalgam and India's Operation Sindoor, which targets terrorist networks in Pakistan, according to the defence ministry in New Delhi.
Both ministers agreed to maintain ongoing consultations to make progress on disengagement, de-escalation, and border management, as well as to work towards eventual border delimitation.
This meeting is part of broader efforts by both nations to reset their relationship following an agreement last October to resolve military tensions along the LAC in eastern Ladakh.
In a social media update, Singh described the discussions with Dong as 'constructive'.
He expressed satisfaction over the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra after nearly six years, emphasizing the need to sustain this positive momentum and avoid complicating bilateral relations.
The defence ministry noted that Singh and Dong engaged in detailed discussions about maintaining peace along the Indo-China border.
Singh acknowledged the efforts from both sides to restore normalcy in their relations and stressed the importance of addressing complex issues through a consistent engagement strategy.
He also underscored the need for effective border management and a permanent solution to border demarcation by revitalizing existing mechanisms.
The minister emphasized the necessity of creating favorable conditions for mutual benefits and cooperation for stability in Asia and globally.
He reiterated the importance of bridging the trust deficit created by the 2020 standoff through actionable measures.
Singh marked the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and China and welcomed the revival of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra after a five-year hiatus.
He presented Dong with a Madhubani painting titled 'Tree of Life', symbolizing wisdom and vitality, which originates from the Mithila region of Bihar.
According to a Chinese statement, Singh conveyed that India does not seek conflict with China and is committed to managing differences, enhancing communication, and building mutual trust for the steady advancement of bilateral relations.
Singh's visit coincided with the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in Tibet, which had been suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the military standoff.
The pilgrimage to Mount Kailash and Mansarovar Lake holds significant religious importance for Hindus, Jains, and Buddhists.
The military standoff began in May 2020, culminating in a deadly clash in Galwan Valley that severely impacted relations between the two nations.
The standoff effectively concluded following the disengagement process at the last two friction points, Demchok and Depsang, under an agreement reached on October 21 last year.
In December, National Security Advisor Doval visited Beijing for talks with Wang Yi as part of the Special Representatives dialogue on the boundary dispute.
The revival of the Special Representatives mechanism and other dialogue formats was agreed upon during a meeting between Prime Minister Modi and President Xi Jinping in Kazan on October 23.
This meeting occurred shortly after India and China finalized a disengagement pact for Depsang and Demchok.
Doval also attended a recent SCO security officials conclave in China.