NEW DELHI: In the middle of high tensions In eastern Ladakh, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh is likely to hold talks with his Chinese counterpart Wei Fenghe about Friday afternoon in Moscow on the sidelines of a ministerial meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), government sources said.
It will be the first high-level meeting between the two sides after the border line intensified in eastern Ladakh in early May, although Foreign Minister S Jaishankar held telephone conversations with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi at the row.
Singh and Wei are in Moscow to attend a meeting of SCO defense ministers on Friday.
The sources said the meeting was requested by the Chinese defense minister.
“The meeting is likely to take place,” said a source.
Indian and Chinese troops are embroiled in a bitter confrontation in various locations in eastern Ladakh.
Tensions flared in the region after China tried unsuccessfully to occupy Indian territory in the south shore of Pangong Lake Five days ago, when the two sides were engaged in diplomatic and military talks to resolve the bitter border dispute.
India occupied a series of strategic heights on the southern shore of Pangong Lake and strengthened its presence in the Finger 2 and Finger 3 areas in the region to thwart any Chinese action. China has strongly opposed India’s move.
India has also sent additional troops and weapons to the sensitive region following Chinese attempts.
Army chief Gen MM Naravane is currently on a two-day visit to Ladakh to carry out a comprehensive review of the security situation in the region in light of the Chinese attempts.
On video: SCO Summit: Rajnath Singh likely to meet with Chinese defense minister
It will be the first high-level meeting between the two sides after the border line intensified in eastern Ladakh in early May, although Foreign Minister S Jaishankar held telephone conversations with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi at the row.
Singh and Wei are in Moscow to attend a meeting of SCO defense ministers on Friday.
The sources said the meeting was requested by the Chinese defense minister.
“The meeting is likely to take place,” said a source.
Indian and Chinese troops are embroiled in a bitter confrontation in various locations in eastern Ladakh.
Tensions flared in the region after China tried unsuccessfully to occupy Indian territory in the south shore of Pangong Lake Five days ago, when the two sides were engaged in diplomatic and military talks to resolve the bitter border dispute.
India occupied a series of strategic heights on the southern shore of Pangong Lake and strengthened its presence in the Finger 2 and Finger 3 areas in the region to thwart any Chinese action. China has strongly opposed India’s move.
India has also sent additional troops and weapons to the sensitive region following Chinese attempts.
Army chief Gen MM Naravane is currently on a two-day visit to Ladakh to carry out a comprehensive review of the security situation in the region in light of the Chinese attempts.
On video: SCO Summit: Rajnath Singh likely to meet with Chinese defense minister
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