Violation of pacts eroded basis of bilateral ties: Rajnath to China

The sharply-worded public statement that “the entire basis of bilateral relations” has been “eroded” is not common during bilateral meetings between Defence Ministers of the two countries.

The last time, when Singh met the then Chinese Defence Minister General Wei Fenghe in September 2020, he had said that actions of the Chinese troops, including amassing a large number of troops, their aggressive behaviour and attempts to unilaterally alter the status quo, were in violation of bilateral agreements.

In a statement after the bilateral meeting in New Delhi Thursday, the Ministry of Defence said that the two ministers had “frank discussions about the developments in the India-China border areas as well as bilateral relations”.

It said Singh “categorically conveyed that development of relations between India and China is premised on prevalence of peace and tranquillity at the borders”.

Singh told Li that “all issues at the LAC need to be resolved in accordance with existing bilateral agreements and commitments,” the Ministry stated.

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“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 said.

According to government sources privy to the conversation, Singh told Li that India wants to improve relations with China, but military cooperation between the two countries can progress only if peace and tranquillity are established at the boundary.

Singh, sources said, conveyed that after disengagement at the LAC, there should be movement towards de-escalation, and that he is hopeful of a positive response.

The bilateral meeting took place ahead of the gathering Friday of Defence Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

This is General Li’s first visit to India since he took charge. It is also the first time that a Chinese Defence Minister is visiting India after the military standoff began in May 2020. In September 2020, Singh met General Wei Fenghe in Moscow, on the sidelines of the SCO Defence Ministers’ meeting, where he sought restoration of status quo ante at all friction points along the LAC.

On Thursday, Singh also held separate bilateral meetings with Brigadier General Mohammed Reza Gharaei Ashtiyani, Iran’s Minister of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics; Colonel General Ruslan Zhaxylykov, Kazakhstan’s Minister of Defence; and Colonel General Sherali Mirzo, Tajikistan’s Minister of Defence.

On Friday, Singh will hold separate bilateral meetings with counterparts from other SCO countries.

The SCO member-countries are India, Russia, China, the Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Pakistan. Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif is likely to attend the meeting via virtual mode. Apart from the member-states, two observer countries, Belarus and Iran, will also participate in the meeting this time.