New Delhi, 15 November 2024: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is scheduled to meet Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit in Laos, beginning November 20.
This marks the first ministerial-level engagement between India and China since the recent disengagement of troops in eastern Ladakh and the resumption of Indian patrols in the Depsang region.
Dong Jun, who was appointed in December last year and previously served as a naval commander, will engage in talks with Singh during the two-day, 10-nation summit.
The last meeting between the defence ministers of the two nations was in April last year, when China’s then-Defence Minister Li Shangfu visited Delhi for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit.
This meeting is seen as a significant confidence-building measure, aimed at mending ties following the violent clashes in the Galwan Valley and Pangong Lake areas in 2020, which resulted in the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers and a significant military buildup from both sides.
The dialogue follows a recent meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Russia, indicating a phased approach towards improving bilateral relations.
While the agenda of the upcoming discussions remains unclear, the meeting is part of ongoing efforts to de-escalate tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
There has been no official confirmation of additional meetings or dialogue sessions to further advance the disengagement process, but it is seen as a step towards normalizing the situation.
In a notable gesture of goodwill, Indian and Chinese troops exchanged sweets during Diwali, a rare occurrence in recent years that suggests a possible thaw in relations.
Despite this, concerns remain over the extensive military buildup by China along the LAC over the past four years.
China has developed new infrastructure, including bases and bridges, to expedite the deployment of troops and equipment.
Indian military analysts recently examined satellite imagery of a new Chinese base on the northern bank of Pangong Lake, describing it as significantly larger than previous facilities.
This camp, located 15 kilometers east of a newly built bridge, reflects Beijing’s efforts to strengthen its presence in previously unoccupied areas near the LAC.
Earlier reports had indicated additional fortifications in the north, including a surface-to-air missile battery.
However, following the disengagement agreement, China began pulling back its forces. Satellite images showed a gradual withdrawal from the Depsang and Demchok regions, and Indian troops recently resumed patrols to strategic points in Depsang.
The disengagement agreement has seen both nations retreat to their pre-April 2020 positions. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar confirmed the deal, and Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi acknowledged the steps taken while noting that the Indian military is cautiously “trying to trust” China again.
The recent disengagement in Depsang and Demchok is part of a broader series of de-escalation efforts, following similar actions in the Pangong Lake region in 2021 and the Gogra-Hot Springs area in September the following year.
In each instance, both sides pulled back to positions held before April 2020, signaling a commitment to reducing tensions and stabilizing the contested border areas.
The ASEAN Summit refers to the annual meeting of the leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), a regional organization consisting of 10 Southeast Asian countries. The summit focuses on discussing political, economic, and security issues affecting the region and promoting cooperation among its member states. The ASEAN Summit also often includes meetings with dialogue partners, such as India, China, Japan, and the United States, to address broader regional concerns.
