Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday held talks with his Chinese counterpart Dong Jun in Bishkek, focusing on maintaining peace and stability along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and addressing broader regional security concerns.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ conclave, at a time when New Delhi and Beijing are working to improve strained bilateral ties.
“It was a pleasure to interact with the Defence Minister of China Admiral Dong Jun during the SCO Defence Ministers' Meeting in Bishkek,” Singh said in a social media post, without elaborating on the discussions.
While there was no official statement on the details, it is understood that both sides reviewed the situation along the LAC and stressed the importance of maintaining peace in border areas, along with discussing wider regional security issues.
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It remains unclear whether the ongoing tensions in West Asia were part of the conversation. The meeting comes as India and China attempt to stabilise relations that deteriorated sharply after the Galwan Valley clashes in June 2020. Since then, both countries have engaged in multiple rounds of diplomatic and military talks, leading to disengagement at several friction points in eastern Ladakh.
In October 2024, the two sides finalised a disengagement agreement covering Depsang and Demchok, the last remaining friction points in the region.
Soon after the pact, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Kazan and agreed on steps to improve bilateral ties.
In August last year, Modi had also travelled to Tianjin for the annual SCO summit, where he held extensive discussions with Xi. During that meeting, Modi emphasised India’s commitment to strengthening ties based on mutual trust, respect and sensitivity.
On the sidelines of the SCO meet, Singh also met Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov. “Great interaction with Russian Defence Minister, Andrei Belousov during the SCO Defence Ministers' Meet in Bishkek,” Singh said.
Discussions between the two reportedly covered ongoing defence cooperation, including Russia’s delivery of the S-400 missile system to India. Under a USD 5 billion deal signed in 2018, three units have already been delivered, with the fourth expected shortly and the fifth likely to arrive in November.
Additionally, India recently approved the procurement of five more S-400 systems from Russia, which will increase the total number to 10.
Singh also held talks with Belarusian Defence Minister Viktor Khrenin during the conclave.
“Delighted to meet the Minister of Defence of Belarus, Lieutenant General Viktor Khrenin, during the SCO Defence Ministers' Meeting in Bishkek. Our talks focused on strengthening defence cooperation between both countries,” Singh said on X. The defence minister arrived in the Kyrgyz capital on Monday to participate in the SCO Defence Ministers’ meeting.
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