Current Affairs- 28 APRIL 23
Ties depend on peace on border: Rajnath to China(PG 1)(GS 2)
Current Affairs- 28 APRIL 23
•The violation of existing agreements has eroded the entire basis of bilateralreltions, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh told his Chinese counterpart General Li Shangfu on Thursday, adding that the development of IndiaChina ties is premised on the prevalence of peace and tranquillity at the borders. This is the first highlevel military visit from China since the start of the Ladakh standoff in April 2020. Just five days before the bilateral discussions, the two countries held the 18th round of Corps Commander talks as part of continuing dialogue to resolve the standoff. Those talks remained inconclusive, with both sides agreeing that restoring peace along the border areas would “enable progress” in recently strained relations. “The two Ministers had frank discussions about the developments in the border areas as well as bilateral relations,” a Defence Ministry statement said. “He reiterated that violation of existing agreements has eroded the entire basis of bilateral relations.” All issues on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) need to be resolved in accordance with existing bilateral agreements and commitments, Mr. Singh said. Defence sources said Mr. Singh categorically said military cooperation between the two countries can progress “only” if peace and tranquillity is established on the border. “He said, after disengagement, there should be movement towards deescalation, and expressed hope for a positive response,” a source stated. The Chinese Minister and State Councillor is in New Delhi to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ meeting scheduled for Friday