Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Qingdao, a port city in China, on June 25. He is attending the Defence Ministers’ Meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).
Notably, this is the first time an Indian cabinet minister has visited China since the deadly 2020 Galwan clash. So far, ties between India and China remain tense due to the ongoing border standoff.
First Indian Defence Minister to Visit China in 12 Years
Previously, the last Indian defence minister to visit China was A.K. Antony in 2013. Since then, relations between the two countries have worsened. The situation became critical in 2020 when Indian and Chinese troops clashed in Galwan Valley.
As a result, both sides suffered casualties. Routine diplomatic talks broke down. Thousands of troops have remained stationed in eastern Ladakh since May 2020. Although several military talks have taken place, full disengagement has not yet happened.
First Major Indian Visit After Modi-Xi Meeting
Interestingly, Singh’s visit follows Prime Minister Modi’s brief meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2024. That meeting happened during the SCO Summit in Astana, Kazakhstan.
Though symbolic, that encounter was seen as a step toward reopening talks. Now, Singh’s visit marks the first high-level Indian presence in China since then.
India to Share Vision on Peace and Security
During the SCO Defence Ministers’ Meeting, Rajnath Singh will speak about India’s goals for regional peace and safety. He will support the SCO’s core principles such as mutual respect for sovereignty and joint efforts for security. In addition, he will stress the need to fight terrorism together.
Before leaving for the summit, Singh said on X, “Looking forward to present India’s vision for global peace and security and also, call for joint and consistent efforts to eliminate terrorism.”
Today, 25th June, I shall be leaving for Qingdao, China, to take part in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ Meeting.
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) June 25, 2025
I will have the opportunity to interact with various Defence Ministers on a wide range of issues. Looking forward to present India’s…
Key Bilateral Talks Planned on the Sidelines
Alongside the main meeting, Singh will also meet Chinese Defence Minister Admiral Dong Jun. He will also hold talks with Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov.
During these discussions, they will likely talk about regional security, counterterrorism efforts, and the ongoing situation along the India-China border.
Top Officials Join from Both Sides
Meanwhile, Singh is leading a strong Indian team that includes senior Defence Ministry officials and top military leaders. National Security Adviser Ajit Doval is also attending separate SCO meetings focused on terrorism.
On the other hand, China’s Defence Minister Admiral Dong Jun is hosting the event and chairing the summit. He is also expected to meet Singh and other leaders one-on-one.
Dialogue Continues Despite Tensions
Even though this is the first Indian cabinet-level visit in years, lower-level talks have continued. India and China held several Corps Commander-level meetings in 2024 and 2025. However, those talks have not resolved all issues. Many flashpoints along the Line of Actual Control remain active.
India wants complete disengagement and a return to pre-2020 positions. Meanwhile, China seeks a broader reset in ties, even as it continues infrastructure work along the border.
SCO Grows as a Key Platform
Today, the SCO includes India, China, Russia, Pakistan, and Central Asian countries. It has become an important forum for discussing security and economic cooperation.
This year, China holds the rotating presidency of the SCO. Singh’s visit could pave the way for more talks between India and China. Still, both sides remain cautious due to ongoing mistrust.