Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Admiral Dong Jun on the sidelines of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) on June 27. “Avoid new complexities,” Rajnath told his Chinese counterpart. He also stressed on border management and to have a permanent solution of border demarcation by rejuvenating the established mechanism on the issue.
During the meeting, the two leaders held “in-depth discussions” on the need to maintain peace and tranquillity along the Indo-China border. Rajnath acknowledged the work being undertaken by the two nations to bring back a semblance of normalcy in the bilateral relations, according to the Ministry of Defence press release. He a;sp highlighted the necessity of solving complex issues through a structured roadmap of permanent engagement and de-escalation.
Rajnath also emphasised the need to create good neighbourly conditions to achieve the best mutual benefits and to cooperate for stability in Asia and the world. He called for bridging the trust deficit created after the 2020 Border standoff by taking action on the ground. In a press release, the Ministry of Defence stated, “The two ministers agreed to continue consultations at various levels to achieve progress on issues related to disengagement, de-escalation, border management and delimitation through existing mechanisms.
“ India and China had reached an agreement in October on patrolling arrangements in the Depsang Plains and Demchok, two friction points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The understanding was reached after earlier disengagement in other friction points in eastern Ladakh following meetings at diplomatic and military levels.
