India-China Border Discussions
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh emphasized the necessity of addressing the complex border issues between India and China through a structured roadmap for permanent engagement and de-escalation. This represents a shift from previous statements centered around trust and confidence-building.
Recent Developments
- The Defence Ministers discussed maintaining peace along the Indo-China border.
- Efforts to bridge the trust deficit post-2020 border standoff were highlighted.
- Agreement to continue consultations at various levels for progress on disengagement and border management.
- This was Singh's second engagement with his Chinese counterpart since October 2024.
Previous Engagements
- Singh has previously met Chinese Defence Ministers in September 2020 (Moscow), April 2023 (New Delhi), and November 2024 (Vientiane, Laos).
- Emphasized creating good neighborly conditions and cooperation for stability in Asia and globally.
- Highlighted 75 years of diplomatic relations and the resumption of the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra.
India-Russia Defence Cooperation
Singh also met Russian Defence Minister Andrey Belousov, discussing the supply of S-400 systems, Su-30 MKI upgrades, and procurement of critical military hardware.
Key Discussions
- The necessity of augmenting defence production, especially in air defence and modern capabilities.
- Topics included geopolitical situations, cross-border terrorism, and Indo-Russian defence cooperation.
- The Russian Minister expressed solidarity with India over the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir.
Meetings with Other Defence Ministers
Singh held meetings with Defence Ministers from Belarus, Tajikistan, and Kazakhstan, focusing on enhancing defence cooperation and exploring new collaboration opportunities.
Areas of Focus
- Continued engagement in defence cooperation and technical collaboration.
- Emphasis on India's advancements in defence production and self-reliance.
- Agreements to enhance capacity building, training, and military technical cooperation.