Rajnath Singh meets Chinese defence minister, first since Galwan clash

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday held talks with his Chinese counterpart Li Shangfu and reportedly discussed the lingering border row in eastern Ladakh. This is the first meeting between the defence ministers of the two countries since Galwan clashes in 2020. Li's visit to India is the first by a Chinese defence minister after the clashes. The Chinese defence minister in India for a SCO summit The meeting between the two defence ministers took place days after the Indian and Chinese armies held 18th round of military talks on ending the border row. In the Corps Commander talks on April 23, the two sides agreed to stay in close touch and work out a mutually acceptable solution to the remaining issues in eastern Ladakh at the earliest. However, there was no indication of any clear forward movement in ending the row. India has been maintaining that its ties with China cannot be normal unless there is peace in the border areas. Chinese foreign minister Qin Gang is also set to visit India next week to attend a conclave of foreign ministers of SCO member countries in Goa. The meeting is slated for May 4 and 5.