New Delhi: In a significant diplomatic engagement during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ summit in Qingdao, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held bilateral talks with his Chinese counterpart, General Dong Jun, reiterating New Delhi’s demand for a “permanent solution” to the long-standing and unresolved border issue with China. This shift in India’s language from earlier calls for an “early resolution” to now a lasting and final settlement marks a recalibration in India's strategic approach to managing its tense Himalayan frontier with Beijing.
The nearly 3,800-kilometre border between India and China, much of it disputed and undefined, has been a historical flashpoint. After the deadly clash in Galwan Valley in 2020 that resulted in casualties on both sides, relations hit a historic low, triggering military build-ups and deep distrust. Though the two countries agreed to disengage in certain areas and hold several rounds of military-level talks, tensions have persisted, especially in Eastern Ladakh.
Now, India appears determined to push beyond temporary disengagements. Rajnath Singh’s emphasis on a “comprehensive, lasting solution” signals that New Delhi is no longer content with short-term crisis management. Instead, it seeks a clearly demarcated Line of Actual Control (LAC) and legally binding mechanisms that will ensure long-term peace and predictability along the border.
During the talks, Singh reminded his Chinese counterpart that trust broken in 2020 must be actively rebuilt. “Peace and tranquillity in border areas remain essential for normal bilateral relations,” Singh reportedly told Dong Jun. He pointed out that while steps like disengagement were welcome, deeper efforts were needed to bridge the trust deficit. India believes that only when the border becomes peaceful and well-managed can broader diplomatic and economic engagement with China move forward.
Both defence leaders reportedly discussed fresh mechanisms to stabilize the frontier. These include refining Rules of Engagement, improving communication at local military levels, and reviving confidence-building measures suspended during the crisis. India is also reportedly keen to restart regular flag meetings, hotline communications, and joint verification patrols tools that had helped maintain peace in earlier decades.
Importantly, Singh also conveyed India’s readiness to resume discussions on delimitation and demarcation a legally precise method of defining the boundary, which China has historically avoided, preferring vague geographical understandings. If China responds positively, this could mark the beginning of serious diplomatic groundwork toward an agreed border.
While the SCO summit itself did not result in a joint communiqué likely due to disagreements among member states over language related to terrorism and regional threats the bilateral meeting between India and China was seen as a modest yet meaningful step forward. It follows a number of recent developments that indicate both sides may be testing the waters for re-engagement.
One such gesture came just days ago when China allowed the resumption of the Kailash Manasarovar pilgrimage, a sacred journey for Indian Hindus that had been suspended for five years. The reopening of this spiritual route through Tibet has been interpreted in New Delhi as a potential olive branch, offering a cultural avenue to soften geopolitical hostility.
By pressing for a permanent resolution, India is now making it clear that normalization cannot occur in isolation that trade ties, diplomatic courtesies, and multilateral coordination must be built on the foundation of stable borders. This stance echoes Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s broader foreign policy shift that seeks to protect India’s sovereignty while deepening strategic autonomy.
Whether China reciprocates this seriousness remains to be seen. Beijing’s track record on border negotiations has often been slow and opaque. Yet the symbolism of two defence ministers sitting down in person and discussing structural fixes not just emergency containment is being viewed as an encouraging shift.
India’s call for a permanent solution to the border dispute is a clear message that time-bound pacts and fragile disengagements are no longer sufficient. As the two Asian giants continue to shape the 21st-century power landscape, how they manage this sensitive frontier could well define the future of Asia’s security order. For now, New Delhi has drawn a new line not just on the map, but in diplomacy.
Source: News Agencies