(By Our Correspondent)
China on Monday labeled its border dispute with India as “complex,” acknowledging that a resolution will take time but expressing readiness to engage in discussions on border delimitation and maintaining peace along the contested frontier.
The statement came in response to comments by Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh during a meeting with Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun on June 26 in Qingdao, held on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ conclave. Singh called for a structured roadmap to tackle the intricate border issues, urging de-escalation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and a revival of mechanisms to demarcate the boundary.
Speaking to reporters in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning addressed Singh’s remarks, noting the complexity of the boundary question. “It’s a complicated issue, and resolving it requires time,” she said, referencing the 23 rounds of Special Representatives (SRs) talks held so far. Mao highlighted the established SR mechanism and the “Political Parameters and Guiding Principles” agreed upon by both nations for settling the dispute.
Despite the challenges, Mao emphasized that China and India have multiple channels for thorough dialogue. “China is ready to maintain communication with India on issues like border delimitation and management, working together to ensure peace and stability in border areas and promote cross-border cooperation,” she said, reaffirming Beijing’s commitment to continued talks.
The latest SR-level meeting took place in December 2024 between India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, marking the first such engagement since the 2020 border tensions in eastern Ladakh. Both sides endorsed the October 2024 disengagement agreement, which restored patrolling and grazing activities in critical areas.
During the Qingdao meeting, Singh stressed the need for “good neighbourly conditions” and concrete actions to rebuild trust strained by the 2020 standoff. He also briefed Dong on the recent Pahalgam terror attack and India’s Operation Sindoor, targeting terror networks in Pakistan.When asked about a potential timeline for resolving the border issue, Mao remained non-committal but optimistic. “We hope India will work with China in the same direction, continuing communication to keep the border areas peaceful,” she said.
The Singh-Dong dialogue underscores ongoing efforts to stabilize India-China relations and restore calm along the LAC in eastern Ladakh, reflecting a shared commitment to diplomacy amid lingering tensions.
(With PTI Inputs)
