The defence minister, Rajnath Singh, met his Chinese counterpart, Admiral Dong Jun, on Friday in the Chinese port city of Qingdao, where the two heads of state had a constructive and forward-looking exchange of views on the state of bilateral relations between both countries. The summit was held at the margins of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers Conclave.
Singh said that the relationship between India and China would have to continue in a positive loop, and they should not create new complexities in the future. This remark sounds like the Indian attitude of cautious, yet positive, attempts to normalise bilateral relations with China and, particularly, post-border wrangles.
In the meeting, Singh offered a cultural gift in the form of a traditional Madhubani painting to Admiral Dong as an appreciation of rich Indian culture. The painting, which was a form of goodwill/cultural diplomacy, was created in Bihar (the region of the Mithila region).
The talks on the defence are timely as the relationship between the two nations is slowly getting back to normalcy. The most significant breakthrough was made in early 2024 when Indian and Chinese forces managed to accomplish disengagement along the key friction points in eastern Ladakh, including regions of Depsang and Demchok. The passing of this was a milestone towards ensuring that peace was reinstated between countries along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
Adding to this, India has recently declared the resumption of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra that had been suspended since 2005. Suspended in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the tension at the frontier, the pilgrimage will be restarted on June 30. The initial group of pilgrims is to arrive in China through Lipulekh Pass on July 10, and the last group is to finish the pilgrimage on August 22.
According to Rajnath Singh, he was also pleased with the revival of the yatra because it would help build people-to-people contacts. This meeting is succeeding a conversation between National Security Advisor Ajit Doval with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on June 23.
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