New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday categorically conveyed to his Chinese counterpart General Li Shangfu that development of relations between India and China is premised on the prevalence of peace and tranquility at the borders.
This was conveyed during a bilateral meeting between the Raksha Mantri and State Councillor and Minister of National Defence of China General Li Shangfu in New Delhi today.
The two Ministers had frank discussions about the developments in the India-China border areas as well as bilateral relations, an official statement said.
The Raksha Mantri also said that “all issues at the LAC need to be resolved in accordance with existing bilateral agreements and commitments”.
“He 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”, the statement said.
The Chinese Defence Minister is in Delhi to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ Meeting on April 28.
In a tweet, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said: “Held discussions with China’s Defence Minister, General Li Shangfu in New Delhi.”
It is the first time that the Chinese Defence Minister is in India following the 2020 Galwan Valley clash; the meeting comes days after the two sides held the 18th round of Corps Commander talks at Moldo on the Chinese side in eastern Ladakh in efforts to resolve the border stand off.
