At the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ Meeting held in Qingdao, China, on June 27, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh emphasized the need for a permanent and structured resolution to the ongoing border disputes between India and China. In a direct conversation with Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun, Singh reaffirmed India’s commitment to peace while calling for a clearly defined and step-by-step approach to resolve the long-standing tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
India and China have shared a history of border disagreements spanning over 3,800 kilometers of largely undemarcated Himalayan terrain. The bilateral relationship suffered a significant setback in June 2020 when a violent clash in the Galwan Valley led to the death of 20 Indian soldiers and at least four Chinese troops. Since then, both nations have maintained a prolonged military standoff, despite multiple rounds of disengagement talks.
During the meeting, Singh pressed for the establishment of a mutually agreeable roadmap that includes confidence-building measures, sustained military communication, and phased troop withdrawal. He stressed that resolving these issues is essential to restoring trust and stability between the two neighboring countries. The call for a comprehensive solution comes after partial disengagement efforts were carried out in late 2024 but failed to fully resolve the underlying tensions in areas such as Pangong Tso and Depsang.
The SCO summit provided a multilateral platform for Singh to not only raise bilateral concerns with China but also address broader regional security issues. He voiced strong concerns about cross-border terrorism and reiterated India’s stance that nations sheltering or encouraging terror networks must be held accountable. Though Singh did not name Pakistan directly, his remarks were widely interpreted as a veiled warning.
Singh also met with Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov on the sidelines of the summit to discuss ongoing and future defence cooperation. Talks included proposals for further deliveries of the S-400 air defence systems, upgrades to India’s fleet of Su-30 fighter jets, and the development of new joint military technologies. This move highlights India's continued effort to strengthen its defence partnerships beyond the immediate challenges on its eastern border.
The Qingdao meeting precedes the upcoming SCO Leaders’ Summit scheduled for later this year, where both India and China are expected to engage at a higher diplomatic level. With recent developments such as the reopening of the Kailash-Mansarovar pilgrimage route to Indian pilgrims after a five-year suspension, there are signs of cautious optimism. However, the underlying geopolitical complexities and historical mistrust remain key challenges on the road to achieving lasting peace.
India’s strategic message from Qingdao is clear: while New Delhi remains open to peaceful resolution through dialogue and diplomacy, it seeks definitive action and long-term security guarantees. As both regional powers navigate a sensitive diplomatic landscape, the world will be closely watching whether this new round of engagement can turn a page in one of Asia’s most critical security relationships.