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Rajnath refuses to shake hands with China's defence minister

Last updated on: April 28, 2023 13:41 IST

After no handshake with China, Defence Minister General Li Shangfu on Thursday vouched for a "comprehensive, long-term and strategic perspective," with India.

IMAGE: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh with China’s Defence Minister General Li Shangfu, right, and Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, center, before a group photo during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Defence Ministers' Meeting, in New Delhi on Friday, April 28, 2023. Photograph: Manvender Vashist Lav/PTI Photo

At a nearly 45-minute meeting with Li, amid the three-year border row, Singh also conveyed to the Chinese defence minister that the development of India-China ties is premised on prevalence of peace and tranquillity at the border.

Notably, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh did not exchange handshake with Li ahead of the bilateral meeting with his Chinese counterpart Li, while, he had handshakes with Tajik, Iranian and Kazakh counterparts ahead of the bilateral.

In a statement, the defence ministry said the two ministers had "frank" discussions about the developments in the India-China border areas as well as bilateral relations.

IMAGE: It is also learnt that no memento was given to the Chinese minister during the meeting with Rajnath. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters

"The raksha mantri categorically conveyed that development of relations between India and China is premised on prevalence of peace and tranquillity at the borders," it said.

"He added that all issues at the LAC need to be resolved in accordance with existing bilateral agreements and commitments," the ministry said.

It said Singh 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.

Singh conveyed to Li that India wants to improve relations with China but it can happen only after peace and tranquillity are restored at the border, the sources said.

IMAGE: Li Shangfu, Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation join the defence ministers. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters

The meeting between the two defence ministers took place days after the Indian and Chinese armies held the 18th round of military talks on ending the three-year border row.

In the Corps Commander talks on April 23, the two sides agreed to stay in close touch and work out a mutually acceptable solution to the remaining issues in eastern Ladakh at the earliest.

However, there was no indication of any clear forward movement in ending the row.

Singh also held separate bilateral talks with his counterparts from Kazakhstan, Iran and Tajikistan and presented them mementoes. It is learnt that no memento was given to the Chinese minister.

Source: ANI