Rajnath Chinese counterpart discuss LAC peace in Bishkek
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday met his Chinese counterpart, Admiral Dong Jun, in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, to discuss maintaining peace and tranquillity along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and broader regional security concerns.
The meeting, held on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ conclave, came as New Delhi and Beijing move to repair their frosty relations.
“It was a pleasure to interact with the Defence Minister of China, Admiral Dong Jun, during the SCO Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Bishkek,” Rajnath Singh said on social media without mentioning the issues discussed.
It is learnt that Rajnath Singh and Dong discussed the situation along the LAC, underlining the importance of maintaining peace and tranquillity in the border areas, as well as regional security issues.
It is not immediately known whether the West Asia crisis figured in the talks.
The meeting came amid India and China looking at rebuilding their frosty relations.
In the last few months, both sides have initiated a series of measures to reset their ties that came under severe strain following the deadly clashes between Indian and Chinese troops in Galwan Valley in June 2020.
Following a series of diplomatic and military talks, the two sides withdrew their troops from several friction points along the LAC in eastern Ladakh.
In October 2024, the two sides firmed up a disengagement pact for Depsang and Demchok, the last two friction points in eastern Ladakh.
Days after the agreement was finalised, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks in Kazan and took a number of decisions to improve the ties.
