New Delhi, April 27
In a clear message, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday 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.
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 premised on prevalence of peace and tranquillity at 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 in 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 is premised 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.
The talks took place hours after Li arrived in Delhi.
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.
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 in 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 is premised 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.
