Moscow/New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has categorically told his Chinese counterpart Gen Wei Fenghe during their meeting in Moscow that none should "doubt" about India's determination to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
(body language of Singh clearly depicts India's 'New found' position of Strength)
#ModiHaiToMumkinHai
The Chinese Defence Minister also agreed on the importance of peace and harmony and suggested that both sides should maintain communication at all levels.
".....there should be no doubt about our determination to protect India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity," Singh told State Councillor and Defence Minister of China, Wei Fenghe.
Rajnath said that both sides should "scrupulously implement" the consensus reached between
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping and continue to solve the issues through dialogue and consultation.
"The two sides should focus on the overall situation of India-China relations and work together to de-escalate the situation as soon as possible, and maintain peace and tranquillity in the India-China border areas.
The Chinese Defence Minister suggested that both sides should maintain communication at all levels including between the two Ministers," a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs said in Delhi.
Stating that the two Ministers had "frank and in-depth discussions" about the developments along the border areas as well as on India-China relations, the MEA statement said Defence Minister/Raksha Mantri categorically conveyed India’s position on the developments along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) including in the Galwan valley in the Western Sector of the India-China Border Areas in the last few months.
Singh emphasised that the actions of the Chinese troops, including amassing a large number of troops, their aggressive behaviour and attempts to unilaterally alter the status quo were in violation of the bilateral agreements and not in keeping with the understandings reached between the Special Representatives of two sides.
The Defence Minister stated clearly that the Indian troops had always taken a very responsible approach towards border management.
The MEA said, Rajnath Singh also said that both sides should take guidance from the consensus of the leaders that maintenance of peace and tranquillity in the India-China border areas was essential for the further development of our bilateral relations and that two sides should not allow differences to become disputes.
Accordingly, the two sides should resolve the ongoing situation and outstanding issues in the border areas
peacefully through dialogue. "The Chinese Defence Minister conveyed that Chinese side too desired to resolve the issues peacefully," the statement said.
Raksha Mantri advised that it was important therefore that Chinese side should work with the Indian side for complete disengagement at the earliest "from all friction areas including Pangong Lake as well as de-escalation in border areas in accordance with the bilateral agreements and protocols".
He further said that the current situation should be handled responsibly and that neither side should take any
further action that could either complicate the situation or escalate matters in the border areas.
Mr Singh conveyed that the two sides should continue their discussions, including through diplomatic and
military channels, to ensure complete disengagement and de-escalation and full restoration of peace and
tranquillity along the LAC at the earliest.
The much talked about meeting between Rajnath Singh and his Chinese counterpart took place in Moscow on the
sidelines of the SCO Meeting of the Defence Ministers.
Chinese Defence Minister Wei Fenghe had shown keenness for meeting Rajnath Singh
on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisationconclave of Defence Ministers.
External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar also has maintained that diplomatic engagement is only
a viable roadmap ahead.
At a function for the release of his book ‘The India Way: Strategies for an Uncertain World’ in Delhi,
Dr Jaishankar said earlier this week: “I am totally convinced that the solution to the situation (on the LAC) has to be found
in the domain of diplomacy."
The latest round meeting came on the background of India attaining 'advantage' strategically and militarily along the border.
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