Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s recent meeting with his Chinese counterpart, Admiral Dong Jun, on the sidelines of the SCO Defence Ministers’ meeting in Qingdao marks a key moment in the cautious thaw between India and China following years of tension, particularly since the 2020 Galwan Valley clash. According to sources cited by India Today, Singh laid out a four-point plan aimed at easing tensions and advancing diplomatic normalization. The components of this plan are:
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Adherence to the 2024 disengagement plan, a crucial step in implementing what both sides have already agreed upon in prior negotiations.
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Continued efforts to de-escalate tensions, likely involving regular military-to-military and diplomatic dialogues to prevent flare-ups.
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Accelerated progress on demarcation and delimitation of the undefined border (LAC), a long-standing source of friction.
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Utilization of the special representative-level mechanism to craft new frameworks for managing differences and sustaining stability.
Singh emphasized that avoiding new complexities is vital and urged both sides to maintain the “positive momentum” in ties, especially with the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra after nearly six years—a symbolic gesture reflecting improved relations.
During the conversation, Singh also confronted Admiral Dong Jun with India’s serious concerns over Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism, reiterating India's zero-tolerance stance and referring to Operation Sindoor as the embodiment of India's principled position on the matter.
Geopolitical Undercurrents:
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China’s readout suggested India is not seeking confrontation and is committed to enhancing mutual trust—signaling Beijing’s interest in preventing tensions from derailing broader regional cooperation.
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Notably, Singh’s refusal to sign the SCO document on terrorism, due to its dilution of India’s core concerns (especially the Pahalgam attack), exposed deep divergences. The final document not only avoided mentioning the April 22 massacre but subtly targeted India by referencing Balochistan—echoing Pakistan’s narrative.
Significance:
This was the first direct defence-level engagement since the 2024 disengagement pact, including settlements at Depsang and Demchok, which had long remained sticking points. It also comes against the backdrop of the Modi-Xi Jinping meeting at the 2023 BRICS Summit, where both leaders agreed to push for a more stable relationship.
By presenting a Madhubani painting to Admiral Dong Jun, Singh also injected cultural diplomacy into the meeting—a soft power gesture underscoring India’s civilizational identity and openness to peace.
Outlook:
While positive messaging and symbolic gestures indicate a cautious willingness to reset ties, structural issues—particularly unresolved border disputes and China’s growing proximity to Pakistan—remain significant obstacles. India’s clear linking of counterterrorism with bilateral dialogue and rejection of ambiguous multilateral documents reflects a more assertive diplomatic posture.
If both sides follow through on Singh’s four-point plan, especially border demarcation and special representative-level talks, there is room for measured progress. However, deep-seated mistrust and geopolitical crosscurrents will continue to shape this complex bilateral equation.
