India, China Agree to Keep Dialogue Open on Border Dispute: Rajnath Raises Terror Concerns

 India, China Agree to Keep Dialogue Open on Border Dispute: Rajnath Raises Terror Concerns

Qingdao, China – India and China have agreed to continue talks aimed at reducing tensions along their disputed border, with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stressing the need for a structured and permanent solution to the longstanding issues during a bilateral meeting with Chinese Defence Minister Admiral Dong Jun.

The meeting, held on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ summit in Qingdao on Friday, focused on restoring peace and stability along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Both leaders acknowledged the need for continued engagement through existing diplomatic and military channels to work towards disengagement, de-escalation, and eventual border demarcation.

Minister Singh made it clear that normalcy in bilateral ties cannot be achieved without resolving the border issues. “Complex problems need structured, sustained engagement,” he said, underlining the importance of established mechanisms in managing border tensions and progressing toward a long-term settlement.

He also called for a renewed commitment to maintaining peace along the border and building mutual trust, which has been severely impacted since the deadly clashes in 2020. Singh urged for a cooperative approach to create "good neighbourly conditions" and promote regional and global stability.

The Indian Defence Minister used the opportunity to express strong concerns over cross-border terrorism, pointing to recent incidents such as the Pahalgam terror attack. He informed Admiral Dong about India’s ongoing Operation Sindoor, aimed at dismantling terror networks operating from across the border in Pakistan.

Singh also welcomed the reopening of the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra, which resumed this year after a five-year hiatus, calling it a positive step in people-to-people engagement. He noted the symbolic significance of the current year as the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and China.

Beyond his meeting with the Chinese counterpart, Rajnath Singh held separate bilateral discussions with the defence ministers of Belarus, Tajikistan, and Kazakhstan — Lieutenant-General Victor Khrenin, Lieutenant-General Sobrizoda Emomali Abdurakhim, and Lieutenant-General Dauren Kosanov, respectively — on issues of defence cooperation and regional security.