Rajnath Singh Urges De-escalation in Ladakh in Talks with China
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met his Chinese counterpart, Admiral Dong Jun, in Vientiane, Laos, on Wednesday, urging de-escalation along the sensitive Ladakh border.
The discussions, held on the sidelines of the 11th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM)-Plus, followed recent disengagements in the Depsang and Demchok areas of eastern Ladakh.
Singh highlighted the importance of building trust and confidence through continued progress in border resolutions. He emphasized that peaceful border relations are integral to the overall India-China bilateral relationship. “Had an extremely productive meeting with the Chinese Defence Minister Admiral Dong Jun in Vientiane. We agreed to work together towards a road map for rebuilding mutual trust and understanding,” Singh wrote on X.
Recent Ladakh Disengagements and Progress
The meeting came after India and China recently disengaged troops and equipment from flashpoints in Ladakh, following an agreement announced on October 21. Both sides dismantled temporary structures and resumed patrolling after ground commanders finalized modalities.
This disengagement, however, did not include the creation of buffer zones, unlike previous pullbacks in areas such as Galwan Valley and Pangong Tso. Despite these developments, tens of thousands of troops and advanced weaponry remain deployed by both armies in the Ladakh region. Singh emphasized the need to resolve the root causes of the conflict to prevent future incidents.
Focus on Global Peace and Economic Stability
Singh stressed that harmonious India-China relations could positively impact global peace and prosperity. He called for a shift from conflict to cooperation, pointing out the shared responsibility of both nations in stabilizing the global economy as major engines of growth.
The defence minister also reflected on the four years lost due to tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), urging both nations to capitalize on their potential for mutual growth and stability.
The talks followed the recent meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Russia. Both leaders agreed to reactivate mechanisms to resolve boundary issues and normalize bilateral ties.
Singh is set to address the ADMM-Plus forum on Thursday, focusing on regional and international security challenges. The platform includes ASEAN nations and dialogue partners such as India, China, the US, Russia, and Japan.
