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By India Today News Desk: China on Friday downplayed the severity of border tensions with India, with Chinese Defence Minister General Li Shangfu describing the situation on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) as “generally stable”.
The statement of the Chinese defence minister came a day after he held a meeting with his Indian counterpart, Rajnath Singh, where the latter 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.
China’s defence ministry on Friday said the situation at the border is “generally stable” and both sides should put the boundary issue in an “appropriate position” and promote its transition to “normalised management”, news agency PTI reported.
On Thursday, General Li Shangfu held a 45-minute long meeting with Rajnath Singh on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) defence ministers’ meeting. This is Chinese Defence Minister Li Shangfu’s first visit to Delhi since the Galwan Valley clashes in 2020.
ALSO READ | Rajnath Singh holds talks with Chinese defence minister, 1st since Galwan clash
WHAT DID INDIA SAY AFTER THE MEETING?
Meanwhile, India, in reference to a 3-year-old standoff along with their disputed border in Ladakh, said China had eroded the “entire basis” of ties between the countries by flouting bilateral agreements.
A communique released after the meeting read: “The Raksha Mantri categorically conveyed that development of relations between India and China is premised on the prevalence of peace and tranquillity at the borders”.
“He added that all issues at the LAC need to be resolved in accordance with existing bilateral agreements and commitments. He 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,” the statement added.
ALSO READ | Chinese defence minister in India, Ladakh locals flag concerns over ‘lost border land’
Last week, India and China held the 18th round of Corps Commander-level talks at the Chushul-Moldo meeting point in eastern Ladakh. The two sides discussed confidence-building measures and ways to avoid confrontation at the borders in the coming months.
The SCO is an influential economic and security bloc and has emerged as one of the largest trans regional international organisations. The SCO was founded at a summit in Shanghai in 2001 by the presidents of Russia, China, the Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. India and Pakistan became permanent members in 2017.
(With PTI inputs)
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