India has renewed its call for a permanent solution to the long-standing border dispute with China. The issue took center stage during Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s meeting with his Chinese counterpart Dong Jun on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) defence ministers’ summit in Qingdao on June 26.
Structured Talks Urged
According to India’s Defence Ministry, Singh emphasized that the ongoing tensions should be resolved through a well-defined, structured roadmap. He stressed the need for long-term peace and stability along the 3,800-kilometer Himalayan frontier that remains largely undemarcated and disputed.
Singh made it clear that New Delhi seeks to resolve differences diplomatically while preserving its territorial integrity.
Historical Tensions Resurface
India and China, both nuclear powers, have fought a war over the border in 1962. While the region remained mostly calm in recent years, tensions erupted in 2020 during a deadly clash in the Galwan Valley. The encounter left 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers dead.
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Following the incident, both nations deployed tens of thousands of troops in the mountainous region, leading to a prolonged military standoff. The standoff only began to ease after a disengagement pact in October 2024.
Rebuilding Trust
Singh also raised the issue of the “trust deficit” created by the 2020 clash. He urged China to help restore mutual confidence through consistent engagement and transparent communication.
Indian officials believe that rebuilding trust is essential for avoiding future flare-ups and ensuring regional stability.
SCO Summit Sets the Stage
The meeting was part of the SCO defence ministers’ gathering — a precursor to the group’s upcoming autumn summit. The SCO is a 10-nation political and security bloc that includes China, India, Russia, Pakistan, and Iran.
Regional tensions, including those involving member states, are expected to dominate discussions in the full summit later this year, with border issues between India and China likely to remain a critical focus.
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