Upgrade of Sukhoi jets figured in Rajnath's talks with Russian counterpart

New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has proposed to China to follow a “structured roadmap” of engagement and de-escalation to resolve the complex Indo-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 and tranquility along the northern border.

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

On the Indo-China front, Singh 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 on bridging the “trust deficit” created after the 2020 border stand-off, by taking action on ground besides flagging the need to create good neighbourly conditions to achieve best mutual benefits as well as to cooperate for 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 Singh-Dong meeting came amid efforts by both New Delhi and Beijing to reset their ties following an understanding last October to end the military stand-off along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh.

In a social media post, Singh 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 assurance on the supply of S-400 systems, Su-30 MKI upgrades, and procurement of critical military hardware in expeditious time-frames. “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.