Need 'permanent solution' for border row: India tells China

New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has proposed to China to follow a “structured roadmap” of engagement and de-escalation to resolve the complex India-China border issues and have a “permanent solution” of border demarcation by rejuvenating the established mechanism.

Singh conveyed this to his Chinese counterpart Admiral Dong Jun on the sidelines of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ meeting in Qingdao, where the two ministers held in-depth discussions on the need to maintain peace along the northern border.

Rajnath also met his Russian counterpart Andrey Belousov, who assured a major upgradation of IAF’s Su-30 MKI fleet and delivery of the two remaining S-400 batteries in the next two years. Both meetings took place on Thursday.

On the India-China front, Rajnath stressed on border management and to have a permanent solution of border demarcation by rejuvenating the established mechanism, a defence ministry spokesperson said.

He emphasised the need for bridging the “trust deficit” created after the 2020 border stand-off by taking action on the ground. Rajnath also flagged the need to create good neighbourly conditions to achieve best mutual benefits and cooperate for the stability in Asia and the world.

“The two ministers agreed to continue consultations at various levels to achieve progress on issues related to disengagement, de-escalation, border management and eventual de-limitation through existing mechanisms,” the spokesperson said.

The Rajnath-Dong meeting came amid efforts by New Delhi and Beijing to reset ties following an understanding last October to end the military stand-off.

In a social media post, Rajnath said, “We had a constructive and forward-looking exchange of views on issues pertaining to bilateral relations. Expressed my happiness on the restarting of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra after a gap of nearly six years.”

This is the first visit by a senior Indian minister to China since the 2020 border crisis in eastern Ladakh and comes eight months after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the BRICS summit at Kazan, where Modi underscored the importance of “properly handling differences and disputes” and not allowing them to disturb peace and tranquillity.

Rajnath’s meeting with the Russian minister led to an assurance on the supply of S-400 systems, Su-30 MKI upgrades and procurement of critical military hardware in an expeditious timeframe.

“It was one of the most important recent meetings between the two leaders,” the spokesperson said.

Sources said one battery of S-400 would come in 2026 and the last one in the subsequent year. Russia has already supplied three units of S-400 under a $5.5 billion deal. The missile systems were used extensively by the Indian Air Force during the May 7-10 military conflict with Pakistan.

The Su-30 MKI upgrade, sources said, might include incorporation of better avionics, radar and more indigenous components. There is also a possibility of the fighters getting more powerful engines. The IAF currently operates around 260 Su-30 MKI, which played a key role in Operation Sindoor.