By Mewati Sitaram
India and China have agreed to work on a “roadmap” for rebuilding mutual trust, following a meeting between Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Chinese counterpart Admiral Dong Jun in Vientiane, Laos. The discussions took place on the sidelines of a regional security conclave, shortly after the successful disengagement of troops from the remaining face-off points in eastern Ladakh.
During the talks, Singh emphasized the importance of learning from the “unfortunate border clashes” of 2020 and called for measures to prevent such incidents in the future. He highlighted that cooperative relations between the two largest nations in the world would positively impact global peace and prosperity.
The two sides also agreed to hold a meeting of the Special Representatives and Secretary-Vice Minister mechanism soon to further the dialogue. Singh described the talks as “extremely productive” in a post on social media platform ‘X’, stating that both nations committed to rebuilding trust and understanding.
Singh reiterated the need for cooperation over conflict, underlining that amicable relations between India and China could be a cornerstone for stability in the region. “Considering that both countries will remain neighbours, we must focus on fostering collaboration,” he stated.
Relations between India and China hit a historic low following the Galwan Valley clashes in June 2020, which resulted in significant casualties on both sides. However, recent disengagement efforts in areas like Demchok and Depsang have marked a positive turn in resolving border tensions.
The Defence Ministry expressed optimism about the discussions, emphasizing the need for confidence-building and de-escalation. Both sides are now working on initiatives aimed at safeguarding peace along the border, signalling a cautious but hopeful step forward in India-China relations.
Editor in Chief : Mewati SItaram
