India suggests four-pronged plan to China to improve bilateral ties

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh suggested a four-point formula to his Chinese counterpart Admiral Dong Jun during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Qingdao, China.

- S. VENKAT NARAYAN

The four-point formula includes: adherence to the 2024 disengagement plan, continued efforts to de-escalate, accelerated efforts to achieve the goal of demarcation and delimitation at the borders, and the usage of the existing special representative level mechanism to prepare new processes to manage differences and improve relations.

During the meeting, Rajnath Singh also raised the matter of Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism. In this context, he stressed that Operation Sindoor is now "India's principled position" against the issue.

Sharing a picture on X following the meeting, Singh stressed on both New Delhi and Beijing maintaining the “positive momentum” in diplomatic ties. He also expressed happiness at the restarting of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra after a gap of around six years.