Subhechcha Ganguly 
In a significant step towards stabilising India-China relations, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met his Chinese counterpart Admiral Dong Jun on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ Conclave in the Chinese port city of Qingdao.
The meeting, described as “constructive” by Singh, focused on maintaining the positive trajectory of bilateral ties. “It is incumbent on both the sides to maintain this positive momentum and avoid adding new complexities in the bilateral relationship,” Singh tweeted after the interaction.
This visit marks a continuation of the recent thaw in India-China relations. In 2024, both nations completed the long-awaited disengagement of troops from the tense Depsang and Demchok regions in eastern Ladakh — a major breakthrough following years of military standoff. Diplomatic progress has also seen the revival of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, suspended since 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Expressing satisfaction over the yatra’s resumption, Singh noted its significance for Indian pilgrims. The first group is scheduled to enter China via Lipulekh Pass on July 10, with the final batch returning by August 22.
As a gesture of goodwill, Singh presented Admiral Dong Jun with a traditional Madhubani painting, symbolising Indian cultural heritage. The meeting follows National Security Adviser Ajit Doval’s recent engagement with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing, where both sides reiterated their commitment to fostering holistic bilateral cooperation and stronger people-to-people exchanges.
With diplomatic and military dialogues resuming in tandem, Singh’s visit could be a pivotal moment in restoring stable and peaceful relations between the two Asian giants
