India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has urged China to work towards a "permanent solution" to their long-standing border dispute. The call was made during a meeting with his Chinese counterpart, Dong Jun, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Qingdao on Thursday, June 26, 2025.

Singh emphasized the importance of border management and proposed reinvigorating existing mechanisms to achieve a permanent resolution through border demarcation. He highlighted the need to address the trust deficit that arose following the 2020 military standoff in eastern Ladakh by taking concrete actions on the ground.

The meeting took place against the backdrop of a complex relationship between the two nations, marked by both cooperation and competition. India and China share a 3,800-kilometer border in the Himalayas, which remains largely undemarcated and disputed. While the border has generally been peaceful in recent decades, a deadly clash in 2020 resulted in casualties on both sides, leading to a prolonged military standoff.

During the meeting, both ministers acknowledged the need for continued consultations at various levels to achieve progress on disengagement, de-escalation, border management, and eventual delimitation through existing mechanisms. This was Singh's first visit to China since the Galwan Valley clash in June 2020.

In October of last year, the Indian and Chinese armies completed their disengagement from Depsang and Demchok in eastern Ladakh, resolving the last two major flashpoints along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). This development helped to ease tensions and overcome a two-year impasse in negotiations.

Singh's call for a "permanent solution" underscores India's commitment to resolving the border dispute through peaceful dialogue and diplomatic means. By emphasizing the need for a structured roadmap, Singh is advocating for a comprehensive approach that addresses the underlying issues and promotes stability in the region.

The SCO, a 10-nation Eurasian security and political grouping that includes China, Russia, India, Pakistan, and Iran, provides a platform for these discussions. The defense ministers' meeting served as a precursor to the annual summit of the organization's leaders, scheduled for the autumn.

Analysts suggest that both sides need to agree to demarcate the LAC to address the existing disputed areas, primarily in Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh, and to prevent face-offs between patrols in those areas. This would require a willingness to compromise and find mutually acceptable solutions that respect each other's concerns and sensitivities.

The resolution of the border dispute is not only crucial for maintaining peace and stability in the region but also for fostering a stronger and more cooperative relationship between India and China, two of the world's most influential nations.