Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh meets Chinese counterpart Wei Fenghe in Moscow amid border tension in eastern Ladakh

Amid heightened tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Chinese Defence Minister Wei Fenghe met on Friday in the Russian capital of Moscow on Friday night. The meeting lasted for 2 hours and 20 minutes, tweeted the Defence Ministry.

"The meeting between Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh and Chinese Defence Minister, General Wei Fenghe in Moscow is over. The meeting lasted for 2 hours and 20 minutes," a tweet read.

The meeting between Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh and Chinese Defence Minister, General Wei Fenghe in Moscow is over. The meeting lasted for 2 hours and 20 minutes. — रक्षा मंत्री कार्यालय/ RMO India (@DefenceMinIndia) September 4, 2020

The talks are being held on the sidelines of a ministerial meet of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). It is the first high-level meeting between the two sides after the border row escalated in eastern Ladakh in early May. Earlier, Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had held telephonic talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on the row.

Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh meeting the Chinese Defence Minister, General Fenghe in Moscow. pic.twitter.com/BDXFAYAVjn — रक्षा मंत्री कार्यालय/ RMO India (@DefenceMinIndia) September 4, 2020

Singh and Wei are in Moscow to attend a meeting of the SCO defence ministers on Friday. India, Pakistan, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan are part of the SCO grouping.

India had received a request from China for a meet with Rajnath Singh when he was in Moscow for victory day celebrations earlier this year. At that time no meeting had happened. 

Indian and Chinese troops are engaged in a bitter standoff in multiple places in eastern Ladakh. India recently outflanked China by taking control of strategic height near Pangong lake's southern bank. It thwarted an attempt by the Chinese army to transgress into Indian areas near the southern bank of Pangong Tso near Chushul in Ladakh. At least two rounds of Brigade-Commander level talks have taken place ever since China tried to unilaterally change the status quo.

On August 31, the Indian Army had said the Chinese military carried out "provocative military movements" to "unilaterally" change the status quo on the southern bank of Pangong lake in eastern Ladakh on the intervening night of August 29 and 30 but the attempt was thwarted by the Indian troops.

Earlier, in an address at a meeting of the SCO, Singh asserted that a climate of trust, non-aggression, sensitivity towards each other and peaceful resolution of differences are among key aspects to ensuring regional peace and stability. Singh also referred to the Second World War, adding that its memories teach the globe the "folies of aggression" of one state upon another which brings "destruction" to all.

His comments came in the midst of a fierce border row between India and China, both members of the SCO, an eight-nation regional grouping which primarily focuses on issues relating to security and defence. Singh made the comments in the presence of Chinese Defence Minister Gen. Wei Fenghe.

"Peaceful stable and secure region of SCO member states – which is home to over 40% of the global population, demands a climate of trust and cooperation, non-aggression, respect for international rules and norms, sensitivity to each other’s interest&peaceful resolution of differences," said Singh.

"...let us not forget tens of millions of martyrs and sacrifice of an entire generation suffering destruction and agony in the Second World War – or “Great Patriotic War”, as our Russian brothers and sisters recall those years. The memory of the war teaches us of the follies of aggression of one state upon another, which brings destruction to all," he added.

Referring to the threats faced by the world today, Singh said, “We need the institutional capacity to deal with both traditional and non-traditional threats – above all, terrorism, drug-trafficking and transnational crime. As you all are aware, India unequivocally condemns terrorism in all forms and manifestations and condemns its proponents. India values the works of the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS).  We laud RATS’ recent work in the cyber domain to prevent the spread of radicalism and extremism. The adoption of anti-terror measures by the SCO Council to counter extremist propaganda and de-radicalisation is a significant decision.”  

The Defence Minister expressed his deep concern about the situation in the Persian Gulf Region. He said, “India has vital interests and links of civilisation and culture with all States in the Gulf.  We call upon countries in the region – all of which are dear and friendly to India, to resolve differences by dialogue based on mutual respect, sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs of each other.”

Speaking about the situation in Afghanistan, Singh said, “Security situation in Afghanistan remains a concern.  India will continue to support the efforts of the people and Government of Afghanistan for an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled inclusive peace process. The SCO Contact Group on Afghanistan is useful for exchanging notes among the SCO Member States."

Singh reaffirmed India’s commitment to the evolution of a global security architecture which will be open, transparent, inclusive, rules-based and anchored in international laws. Raksha Mantri thanked the Russian Federation for organising the annual anti-terror exercise ‘Peace Mission’, which has contributed to building trust and sharing of experience among Defence Forces.   

The Defence Minister is on an official visit to Moscow from September 3-5 at the invitation of Defence Minister of Russian Federation General Sergei Shoigu.