Both the Defense Ministers met on the sidelines of the SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation).
New Delhi:
A day after Union Minister Rajnath Singh Strong message to China During the first meeting of the defense ministers of the two countries since the Galwan incident, his Chinese counterpart General Li Shangfu today called for “normal management” of differences along the international border.
“The two sides should take a long-term perspective, properly position the boundary issue in bilateral relations, and promote the transition of the boundary situation to normal management,” said a release issued by the Chinese embassy.
This is a situation that has been unacceptable to New Delhi, with India making it clear that the resolution of the border situation was linked to the expansion of ties between the two countries.
China and India share far more common interests than differences, a Chinese statement said today, adding that the two sides should approach bilateral relations and each other’s development from a comprehensive, long-term and strategic perspective and Should jointly provide knowledge and power to the world. and regional peace and stability.”
Underlining the need for peace and tranquility along the border, New Delhi had yesterday said, “violation of existing agreements has eroded the entire basis of bilateral ties”.
The Indian release after the meeting of the two ministers on the sidelines of the SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation) meeting said: “The Defense Minister categorically stated that the development of relations between India and China is based on the spread of peace and tranquility. “.
He said that all issues along the LAC need to be resolved as per the existing bilateral agreements and commitments. Added statement.
The Chinese statement further said that the situation at the China-India border was “generally stable” and that the two sides maintained communication through military and diplomatic channels, adding that it hoped the two sides would “maintain mutual trust”. will work together to continuously enhance To contribute appropriately to the development of bilateral relations between the two armies”.
The withdrawal of troops from some areas of Ladakh including Hot Springs, Galwan and the northern bank of Pangong Lake has come after 18 rounds of talks between the military commanders of India and China. But little progress has been made in resolving the situation in the strategically important Demchok and Depsang, where China has occupied large parts of Indian territory.
Repeated Chinese transgressions in Ladakh have led to face-offs with Indian troops, the worst of which occurred at Galwan, where 20 Indian soldiers were killed in action in 2020.
Since then, there have been reports that China is cutting into Indian territory in various places in Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh, and building infrastructure in the form of roads and airports.