Mon Jun 30 18:36:49 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met with his Chinese counterpart, Admiral Dong Jun, on the sidelines of the SCO Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Qingdao, China. Singh proposed a structured roadmap to de-escalate tensions and demarcate the border. China acknowledged the complexity of the border dispute and the time it will take to resolve, but expressed willingness to maintain communication, including delimitation negotiations and border management, to keep the border peaceful. The meeting followed efforts to reset ties after the 2020 Ladakh standoff and a previous agreement in October 2024. Singh also addressed the Pahalgam terror attack and India’s Operation Sindoor with Dong Jun.

**News Article:**

**India and China Discuss Border Dispute, Seek Peaceful Resolution**

**Qingdao, China – July 1, 2025:** Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met with Chinese Defence Minister Admiral Dong Jun in Qingdao, China, last week amidst ongoing efforts to resolve the complex border dispute between the two nations. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ Meeting.

Minister Singh proposed a structured roadmap to de-escalate tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and to revitalize existing mechanisms for border demarcation. He emphasized the need to rebuild trust after the 2020 eastern Ladakh border standoff.

China acknowledged the complexity of the boundary question and the time needed to reach a settlement. However, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning reiterated China’s readiness to maintain communication with India on border management and delimitation negotiations to ensure peace and tranquility in the border areas.

“The boundary question is complicated, and it takes time to settle it,” Ms. Mao stated. “We hope that India will work with China in the same direction, continue to stay in communication on relevant issues and jointly keep the border areas peaceful and tranquil.”

The meeting follows the 23rd round of Special Representatives (SRs) talks held in December 2024, and the successful implementation of a disengagement agreement in October 2024. Singh also briefed his counterpart on the Pahalgam terror attack and India’s Operation Sindoor targeting terrorist networks in Pakistan. Both sides are reportedly committed to resetting ties and maintaining dialogue.

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