India advises China to maintain border calm for improved relations. The Indian government said India’s defense minister reminded his Chinese counterpart on Thursday that “peace and tranquillity” must return along their military-tense boundary to restore relations.
Since mid-2020, when Chinese and Indian forces battled on their disputed Himalayan border and killed 24 people, relations have worsened.
After military and diplomatic negotiations, the 3,800-km (2,360-mile) border remains tense.
At a meeting with Chinese counterpart Li Shangfu in New Delhi, India’s defense minister Rajnath Singh reiterated New Delhi’s position on their strained relations, the Indian government stated.
It added Singh “categorically conveyed that development of relations between India and China is premised on prevalence of peace and tranquillity at the borders.”
“He reiterated that violation of existing agreements has eroded the entire basis of bilateral relations and disengagement at the border will logically be followed with de-escalation,” the administration added.
China violates 1990s-era border accords by often entering India’s side. Beijing disputes the charges and blames Delhi.
China’s Defence Minister claimed military and diplomatic channels kept the border calm.
“It is hoped that the two sides will work together to continuously enhance mutual trust between the two militaries and make due contributions to the development of relations between both countries,” Li said in a ministry social media post on Friday.
Li advised a “comprehensive, long-term and strategic view” of relations between the two nations.
Two Indian sources told Reuters that China had pressed for military participation and collaboration but was informed by India that it could only happen if the border were calm.
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