Defense Minister Rajnath Singh is in Moscow to attend a meeting of SCO defense ministers.
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- “We have received a request for a meeting. A meeting is likely,” the sources said.
- The Chinese defense minister is believed to have requested the meeting.
- Rajnath Singh is in Moscow to attend a meeting of SCO defense ministers
New Delhi:
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh is likely to meet his Chinese counterpart in Moscow, where the two will attend a three-day event, government sources said today. “We have received a request for a meeting. A meeting is likely,” the sources said.
Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghi is believed to have requested the meeting on the sidelines of a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in the Russian capital. The Chinese side approached the Indian mission for the meeting, the sources said.
Indian and Chinese troops have been embroiled in a tense border line in eastern Ladakh since May. In June, 20 Indian soldiers were killed in a clash with Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley.
Tension flared again after Chinese troops attempted to occupy territory on the southern shore of Lake Pangong last Saturday and again on Monday. Indian forces were prepared and prevented these attempts to “unilaterally alter the status quo” on the Royal Line of Control, the government said.
India has now taken control of a number of strategic points in the region and has also been quick to bring in additional troops and weapons following the Chinese attempts.
Attempts were made even as the two nations were engaged in diplomatic and military talks to resolve the border dispute.
Foreign Minister S Jaishankar said Thursday that he was “fully convinced” that a solution to the border dispute between India and China must be found in the domain of diplomacy.
Stating that he was not underestimating the seriousness of the situation, he said that it was vital for both countries to reach an “agreement” not only for them, but that the world had a lot at stake.
“I am also aware that you have the situation that we have in the border areas of the western sector (through Ladakh). Because we have a long-term vision, our position there has been very clear: we have agreements and understandings with China. Agreements and understandings must be scrupulously observed by both parties, “Jaishankar said at an online event for the launch of his book.
“The reality is that what happens at the border will impact the relationship, it cannot be separated. I said this point a few days before in another context, I would say that I am totally convinced that the solution to the situation must be sought in the domain of diplomacy. And I say this responsibly, “he said, according to the Press Trust of India.
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