Amidst ongoing border tensions and escalating concerns over cross-border terrorism, India has firmly conveyed to China the necessity of respecting its right to defend itself against terror. This message was delivered by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to his Chinese counterpart, Admiral Dong Jun, during a meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) conclave in Qingdao.

The meeting, which marked the first dialogue between the two defense ministers since the Galwan clash in 2020, primarily focused on maintaining peace along the 3,488-km Line of Actual Control (LAC). Singh emphasized the need for a structured roadmap to resolve complex issues through permanent engagement and de-escalation. He also highlighted India's "principled approach" to defending itself against cross-border terrorism sponsored by Pakistan.

Singh briefed Admiral Dong about the "heinous" Pahalgam massacre, where 26 civilians were killed, and the subsequent "Operation Sindoor" launched by India against terrorist networks in Pakistan. He conveyed that both New Delhi and Beijing should avoid adding new complexities to their bilateral relationship. This comes against the backdrop of Pakistan's use of Chinese weaponry, including J-10 fighters, against India during recent cross-border hostilities. Furthermore, China's plans to supply Pakistan with J-35A stealth jets and HQ-19 long-range air defense missile systems have heightened India's concerns.

At the SCO Defence Ministers' meeting, Singh also addressed the issue of Pakistan-backed groups and condemned the Pahalgam attack. He reiterated India's zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism, emphasizing the country's right to defend itself and its willingness to target terror epicenters. He urged SCO members to unequivocally condemn terrorism and stressed that there should be no double standards when dealing with nations that use cross-border terrorism as an instrument of policy.

India's firm stance on counter-terrorism was further underscored by its refusal to sign a joint communique at the SCO meeting, as the statement would have weakened India's position on terrorism and regional security. Singh also presented a four-point formula to manage India-China border tensions, which included disengagement, de-escalation, demarcation, and the use of existing mechanisms to improve relations and manage differences.

While acknowledging efforts to restore normalcy in bilateral ties, India has called upon China to constructively work towards a permanent solution to the border issue under a structured roadmap to bridge the trust deficit, de-escalate tensions, and rejuvenate the existing mechanism to demarcate the border. India's repeated emphasis on a 'permanent' solution signals a renewed push to resolve the long-standing border dispute.