Amid ongoing efforts to mend strained relations, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is set to visit China from June 24th to 25th to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) defence ministers' meeting. This marks the first high-level Indian ministerial visit to China since the 2020 border standoff in Eastern Ladakh, signaling a potential thaw in bilateral ties.
Singh's visit underscores a commitment from both nations to stabilize relations and rebuild trust. During the SCO meeting, discussions with Chinese Defence Minister Admiral Dong Jun are anticipated. Singh and Admiral Dong previously met in Vientiane, Lao PDR, during the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting in November 2024. This trip will be Singh's first to China as Defence Minister, although he has visited in the past as Home Minister.
The visit builds upon understandings reached between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in October of last year, which aimed to improve bilateral relations. Furthering these efforts, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met with Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong in New Delhi on June 12th. They assessed progress made since their meeting in January and agreed to prioritize "people-centric engagements," according to the Ministry of External Affairs.
Recently, India and China agreed to expedite the resumption of direct air services and increase communication as they continue to repair bilateral ties. Statements from both countries' Foreign Ministries followed a meeting between Vikram Misri and Sun Weidong, who was visiting India.
Sun Weidong stated that both sides should properly handle disputes and differences and jointly play a constructive role in maintaining international and regional peace and stability. The Indian Ministry stated that the two sides agreed to continue to stabilize and rebuild ties. In January, the two countries agreed to resolve trade and economic differences, which is expected to boost their aviation sectors.
In October 2024, India and China reached an agreement regarding patrolling along their Himalayan border, de-escalating a standoff that began in 2020. This standoff had strained bilateral ties, affecting trade, technology, and air travel.
During a dialogue in Delhi, Sun Weidong and Vikram Misri emphasized improved China-India relations after a meeting in Kazan. Both sides aim to increase political trust, advance cooperation, and properly manage disagreements. They agreed to prepare for the 24th Special Representatives' Meeting on the boundary question and resume direct flights and journalist exchanges.
The two sides will also continue commemorative activities for the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations, push for the resumption of direct flights and exchange of resident journalists soon, facilitate people-to-people exchanges, resume bilateral dialogue mechanisms steadily, and ensure Indian pilgrims' smooth visit to Mount Gang Rinpoche and Lake Mapam Yun Tso in the Xizang Autonomous Region of China.
At the SCO Defence Ministers' meeting in 2023, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh urged the regional bloc to eliminate terrorism and hold those who aid it accountable. He stated that any nation that shelters terrorists poses a threat to itself and others. Singh also raised the border issue with China, emphasizing that violating existing agreements had eroded bilateral relations and that peace and tranquility at the borders are essential for the development of India-China ties.
