Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met Chinese Defence Minister Admiral Dong Jun during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) defence ministers' meeting in Qingdao. This was the highest-level direct meeting between India and China in several months.
Rajnath described the talk as “constructive and forward-looking.” He wrote on social media, “Held talks with Admiral Dong Jun, the Defence Minister of China, on the sidelines of SCO Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Qingdao. We had a constructive and forward looking exchange of views on issues pertaining to bilateral relations.”
India and China share a 3,800-kilometre long border in the Himalayas. Tensions between the two nations have remained high since the 2020 Galwan clash. However, Rajnath offered a four-point plan to Admiral Dong to improve ties and resolve the long-standing border issue.
The Four-Point Proposal from Rajnath Singh
1. Strictly follow the 2024 Disengagement Agreement: Rajnath asked both countries to fully implement the disengagement deal signed in October 2024. This agreement covers key areas in Eastern Ladakh, such as Demchok and Depsang, where military standoffs have taken place.
2. Keep working on de-escalation: He stressed that both sides must continue efforts to reduce tension along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and avoid creating new flashpoints.
3. Speed up border resolution efforts: Rajnath called for faster progress in marking and agreeing on the boundary. He said both nations should focus on finding a permanent solution and revitalise existing dialogue mechanisms.
4. Build back trust: Referring to the Galwan clash and ongoing tensions, Rajnath said both sides must work to reduce the trust gap. He called for cooperation that brings “the best mutual benefits” and helps maintain peace in Asia and the world.
India Refuses to Sign SCO Document Over Terrorism Concerns
The meeting happened shortly after India declined to sign an SCO document. The reason: the document ignored India’s concerns about terrorism. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “India’s concerns were not acceptable to one particular country.”
Kailash Mansarovar Yatra to Resume After Six Years
Rajnath also announced that the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra will restart soon. The religious pilgrimage was suspended after the COVID-19 pandemic and the Galwan clash in 2020.
He wrote, “Expressed my happiness on restarting of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra after a gap of nearly six years. It is incumbent on both the sides to maintain this positive momentum and avoid adding new complexities in the bilateral relationship.”
The yatra is seen as a symbolic gesture of goodwill between the two countries.
A Cultural Gesture: Madhubani Art as a Gift
During the meeting, Rajnath gifted Admiral Dong a Madhubani painting from Bihar. This traditional artwork from the Mithila region features bold lines and bright earthy colours. It is popular for its tribal patterns and symbolic designs.
Background on Recent Talks
India and China last held high-level talks on the Demchok and Depsang disengagement process in October 2024. Those talks followed a key meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping during the BRICS Summit in Kazan in October 2023.
About the SCO
The SCO is a 10-nation political and security group that includes India, China, Russia, Pakistan, and Iran. The defence ministers’ meeting is held ahead of the group’s annual leaders’ summit, expected later this year.