Qingdao, 26 June 2025 — On the sidelines of the SCO Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Qingdao, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh held an in-depth bilateral with Chinese Defence Minister Admiral Dong Jun. Both ministers reaffirmed their commitment to preserving peace and tranquillity along the Indo-China border, emphasising the need for a structured roadmap for permanent engagement and de-escalation.
Shri Rajnath Singh acknowledged the steps already taken to bring normalcy in bilateral relations. He called for resolving complex issues through sustained and systematic engagement, including proactive border management. He also highlighted the challenge of the lingering trust deficit stemming from the 2020 border standoff, underscoring the need for action on the ground to bridge this gap.
“Maintaining peace and tranquility along the Indo‑China border and solving issues through a structured roadmap of permanent engagement and de‑escalation.”
Shri Rajnath Singh specifically emphasized the revival of existing mechanisms for border demarcation and management, stating that they are essential for achieving a permanent resolution.
He underscored another key requirement: “creating good neighbourly conditions to achieve best mutual benefits and cooperate for stability in Asia and the world.”
Multi-level Consultations and Mechanism Revitalization
Both ministers agreed to sustain regular consultations at multiple levels—political, military, and diplomatic—to advance efforts on disengagement, de-escalation, and border management. They also resolved to pursue eventual delimitation through established mechanisms without creating new frameworks.
Celebrating 75 Years of Diplomatic Ties and Resuming the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra
Acknowledging the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and China, Shri Singh praised this milestone as an opportunity to strengthen bilateral cooperation.
He further welcomed the resumption of the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra, which had been suspended for five years, as an important symbol of cultural and spiritual engagement.
Addressing the Pahalgam Terror Attack and Operation Sindoor
Shri Rajnath Singh also highlighted the heinous April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, aimed at innocent civilians, and updated Admiral Dong Jun on India’s response through Operation Sindoor, a decisive measure to dismantle terrorist networks based in Pakistan.
