Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh Meets Chinese Defence Minister Admiral Dong Jun at 11th ADMM-Plus in Vientiane

Vientiane: In a significant diplomatic engagement, Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh met with Chinese Defence Minister Admiral Dong Jun on the sidelines of the 11th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) in Vientiane, Lao PDR. This marked the first meeting between the two defence ministers since the recent disengagement agreements between India and China, following the discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the BRICS summit.

During the meeting, Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh emphasized the importance of maintaining amicable relations between India and China, noting that as the two most populous nations in the world, their cooperation would have far-reaching positive implications for global peace and prosperity. He highlighted that both countries, as neighboring powers, must prioritize cooperation over conflict.

“Given our geographical proximity, India and China must focus on cooperation rather than conflict. Amicable relations between our two countries are essential not only for our respective nations but for regional and global stability,” Rajnath Singh remarked during the discussions.

The Raksha Mantri also underscored the lessons learned from the unfortunate border clashes in 2020 and expressed the need for proactive measures to prevent the recurrence of such incidents. He stressed that both countries must safeguard peace and tranquility along the India-China border and build greater trust and confidence through de-escalation and dialogue.

“There is a need to reflect on the lessons from the past and work towards preventing any such incidents in the future. Our focus must be on de-escalating tensions and ensuring peace along the border,” Rajnath Singh added, expressing hope for greater confidence-building measures between the two nations.

Both ministers agreed to continue working towards a comprehensive roadmap for rebuilding mutual trust and understanding, a key step in stabilizing their bilateral defence relations.

Earlier in the day, Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh arrived in Vientiane for his three-day visit, marking India’s continued engagement with ASEAN members and its strategic partners. On November 21, 2024, he will address the 11th ADMM-Plus forum, where he is expected to discuss regional and international security issues, further underscoring India’s commitment to regional peace and stability.

This high-level interaction between India and China at the ADMM-Plus comes at a crucial time, as both countries work towards building a constructive dialogue and addressing shared security concerns in the region.