Rajnath Singh holds meeting with Gen Fenghe in Moscow
New Delhi: Amid rising border tension between two nations, Defence minister Rajnath Singh has categorically conveyed to his Chinese counterpart about India’s position on the development along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh and also termed Chinese troops attempts to unilaterally change the status quo as “violation of the bilateral agreements” and understandings reached between the Special Representatives of two sides.
On the sidelines of the joint meeting of defence ministers of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) member states in Moscow, Mr Singh met his Chinese counterpart Gen Wei Fenghe after the Chinese side sought for a meeting to resolve the border row. The meeting lasted for 2 hours and 20 minutes.
The two ministers had frank and in-depth discussions about the developments in the India-China border areas as well as on India-China relations, the defence ministry said.
Stating that the Indian troops had always taken a very responsible approach towards border management, Mr Singh also made it clear that there should be no doubt about “our determination to protect India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
Advocating for working together to de-escalate the situation as soon as possible and maintain peace and tranquillity in the India-China border areas, State Councillor and Defence Minister of China Gen Wei Fenghe said that both sides should scrupulously implement the consensus reached between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping and continue to solve the issues through dialogue and consultation.
The Chinese defence minister further suggested that both sides should maintain communication at all levels including between the two ministers.
Mr Singh also said that both sides should take guidance from the consensus of the leaders that maintenance of peace and tranquillity in the India-China border areas was essential for the further development of our bilateral relations and that two sides should not allow differences to become disputes.
“Accordingly, the two sides should resolve the ongoing situation and outstanding issues in the border areas peacefully through dialogue,” he said.
Gen Fenghe conveyed that Chinese side too desired to resolve the issues peacefully.
Mr Singh advised that it was important therefore that Chinese side should work with the Indian side for complete disengagement at the earliest from all friction areas including Pangong Lake as well as de-escalation in border areas in accordance with the bilateral agreements and protocols on maintenance of peace and tranquillity in border areas, strictly respect and observe the line of actual control and should not make attempts to unilaterally change status quo.
He further said that the current situation should be handled responsibly and that neither side should take any further action that could either complicate the situation or escalate matters in the border areas.
Mr Singh conveyed that the two sides should continue their discussions, including through diplomatic and military channels to ensure complete disengagement and de-escalation and full restoration of peace and tranquillity along the LAC at the earliest.
The standoff between India and Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh which began in early May has continued since then despite talks at diplomatic and military levels to sort out the issue.
