Recently, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held discussions with China’s Defence Minister General Li Shangfu. The two Ministers had frank discussions about the developments in the India-China border areas as well as bilateral relations. 

General Li Shangfu is in India to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers meeting from April 27-28 amid strained relations between the countries.

This is the first visit to India by a Chinese defence minister after the eastern Ladakh border standoff between the armies of India and China began in May 2020.

Both the defence ministers held a bilateral meeting to discuss the progress of the military and diplomatic talks to resolve the festering standoff.

Rajnath Singh told his Chinese counterpart that China’s violation of the border pacts has eroded the entire basis of bilateral relations.

The Indian Defence Minister categorically conveyed that development of relations between India and China is premised on prevalence of peace and tranquillity at the borders. 

He added that all issues at the LAC need to be resolved in accordance with existing bilateral agreements and commitments. He reiterated that violation of existing agreements has eroded the entire basis of bilateral relations and disengagement at the border will logically be followed with de-escalation.

About Shanghai Cooperation Organisation

• Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) was formed by China, Russia and four Central Asian countries (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan) in 2001 as a countermeasure to limit the influence of Western alliances such as Nato. 
• As things stand today, the number of the total members of the  SCO is eight. 
• India and Pakistan joined the group in 2017. 
• India became the chair of the SCO in 2023. The country is hosting the SCO defence ministers' conference under its presidency of the Beijing-based grouping.