- Saturday, March 01, 2025
By: Shubham Ghosh
Indian defence minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday (27) told his Chinese counterpart that improved relations between the two nations depend on “peace and tranquility” returning to their frontier which has been disturbed by military tensions, a statement issued by the Indian government said, Reuters reported.
Relations between the two nuclear-powered Asian neighbours have deteriorated since mid-2020 when their troops clashed on their disputed Himalayan frontier, leaving more than 20 dead.
While the situation has overall remained calm following military and diplomatic talks, faceoff continues in pockets along their long border extending more than 3,700 kilometres.
Singh underlined his government’s position on its strained ties with the Chinese side at a meeting with his counterpart from that country Li Shangfu in New Delhi, the statement read, according to Reuters.
Li arrived in the Indian capital on Thursday to take part in the Shanghai Economic Cooperation defence ministers’ meeting scheduled on Friday (28).
The Indian minister “categorically conveyed that development of relations between India and China is premised on prevalence of peace and tranquility at the borders”, the statement said.
“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,” it added.
There was no immediate remark about the meeting from the Chinese side, the Reuters report added.
India accuses China of frequently entering into its side of the disputed border while Beijing denies the accusations and blames New Delhi for violations.
