Updated: September 4, 2020 7:31:15 am
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and his Chinese counterpart Wei Fenghe (AP).
With Indian troops occupying heights in the Chushul sector for dominance of the area and New Delhi telling Beijing that negotiations now may be the only way forward to resolve the border crisis in Ladakh, Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe has sought a meeting on Friday with Defense Minister , Rajnath Singh, on the sidelines of the meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization of Defense Ministers in Moscow.
Sources told The Indian Express on Thursday night that the South Block gave the green light to Singh’s meeting with his Chinese counterpart, hoping it would lead to an “early and complete disconnect” as well as a de-escalation to along the Line of Real Control.
The Indian and Chinese embassies in Moscow, the sources said, are in contact to schedule the meeting on Friday.
Foreign Minister S Jaishankar, responding to questions on Thursday about his book ‘The India Way: Strategies for an Uncertain World’, also underlined: “I am fully convinced that the solution to the situation (in LAC) must be found. in the domain of diplomacy. And I say it with responsibility ”.
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Jaishankar, who also participated in a meeting of the G-20 Foreign Ministers on Thursday, will meet with his BRICS counterparts by videoconference on Friday. He will head to Moscow for a meeting of the SCO Foreign Ministers on September 9. At both meetings, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will also be present.
“We have a long history, which is very good in many parts, very indifferent in some parts and very difficult in some aspects. The problem is that the most difficult parts are more recent… This is not the easiest moment in the relationship, ”said the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
“I am not underestimating the seriousness of the current situation or the real challenges of the boundary issue. It is vital that both countries reach and achieve, not just for them. I think one has a lot to ride. I am also aware that right now we have a situation in the border areas of the western sector. We have agreements and understandings with China … agreements and understandings must be scrupulously observed by both parties, neither party should attempt to change the status quo unilaterally. And the reality is that what happens at the border will impact the relationship, it cannot be separated, “he said.
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“I am not underestimating the challenges, I am being very realistic, I understand. I am in contact with the situation on the ground on a regular basis… But I am convinced that the way out is through diplomacy, ”he said.
“And that will happen if both parties understand that it is in their own interest that they do not see what they have seen this summer,” he said.
In Moscow, Rajnath Singh met with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and expressed appreciation for the “strong support” provided by Russia “in line with India’s defense and security needs.”
He noted the “timely manner in which the Russians had responded to requests for the acquisition of particular weapons systems,” Singh’s office tweeted.
Both sides said they will continue to maintain contacts to ensure timely delivery and welcomed the advanced stage of discussions for the establishment in India of a joint venture between India and Russia for the production of AK203 assault rifles.
Singh’s office said the meeting in Moscow covered a wide range of areas of cooperation between the two countries. The meeting coincides with Indra’s naval exercises that the Indian and Russian navies will carry out off the Straits of Malacca for the next two days.
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Singh said that these exercises demonstrated the common interests of both countries in maritime security in the Indian Ocean region.
He called their meeting “excellent” and sources said there was “great personal chemistry” between the two leaders during the bilateral meeting that lasted for more than an hour.
The sources also said that Russia reiterated its policy of not supplying arms to Pakistan, following India’s request.
Russia is hosting multiple multilateral events attended by ministers, providing opportunity and space for major interlocutors from India and China to hold talks on the sidelines.
In New Delhi, Foreign Ministry spokesman Anurag Srivastava, commenting on the situation in Ladakh, said: “It is clear that the situation we have witnessed over the past four months is a direct result of actions taken by the Chinese side. seeking unilateral change in the status quo. “
Now the way forward is negotiations, both through diplomatic and military channels. The Indian side is firmly committed to resolving all outstanding issues through peaceful dialogue, ”he said.
Chinese embassy spokesman Ji Rong said: “China and India have the ability to resolve their border disputes bilaterally. We do not accept that countries outside the region point the finger, much less interfere or instigate, which will only endanger regional peace and stability ”.
Meanwhile, the MEA confirmed that New Delhi will host a meeting of Quad Foreign Ministers next month. US Undersecretary of State Stephen Biegun had said it would be an “in person” meeting. The Quad group comprises the US, India, Japan and Australia. India and the United States are also working on scheduling the 2 + 2 meeting between their Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defense.
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