During his Russia visit, Rajnath Singh also met his Chinese counterpart Chinese State Councilor and Minister of National Defence,General Wei Fenghe on the side-lines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) member countries meet, in Moscow on September 4, 2020. The meeting between the two ministers lasted for 2 hours and 20 minutes where the both of them reportedly had “frank and in-depth discussions” about the developments in the India-China border areas as well as on India-China relations.

The SCO Defence Ministers’ meeting took place amid the persistent tension between India and China following the Chinese army’s attempts to change the status quo on the southern bank of Pangonglake in eastern Ladakh. The two sides had held several rounds of diplomatic and military talks to end the border standoff which began on May 5.

Singh categorically conveyed India’s position on the developments along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) including in the Galwan valley in the Western Sector of the India-China Border Areasin the last few months.

The troops of both the armies had first clashed on the border near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) on June 15, in Ladakh in which twenty Indian soldiers lost their lives and 76 were injured.

On September 1, 2020, India had stated that China had once again engaged in provocative military maneuvers on August 31. The new escalation in tensions reportedly came a day after the Indian Army said its soldiers had prevented similar “provocative” movements by China’s military on the night of August 29, 2020 in the South Bank area of Pangong Lake.

Singh categorically conveyed India’s position on the developments along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) including in the Galwan valley in the Western Sector of the India-China Border Areasin the last few months. He emphasised that the actions of the Chinese troops, including amassing of large number of troops, their aggressive behaviour and attempts to unilaterally alter the status quo were in violation of the bilateral agreements and not in keeping with the understandings reached between the Special Representatives of two sides.

“While the Indian troops had always taken a very responsible approach towards border management, but at the same time there should also be no doubt about our determination to protect India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” added India’s Defence Minister.

RM said that both sides should take guidance from the consensus of the leaders that maintenance of peace and tranquillity in the India-China border areas was essential for the further development of bilateral relations & that2 sides should not allow differences to become disputes

— ????? ?????? ????????/ RMO India (@DefenceMinIndia) September 5, 2020

He further advised that it was therefore important that Chinese side should work with the Indian side for complete disengagement at the earliest from all friction areas including Pangong Lake as well as de-escalation in border areas in accordance with the bilateral agreements & protocols. “The current situation should be handled responsibly and neither side should take any further action that could either complicate the situation or escalate matters in the border areas,” said Singh. He conveyed that the two sides should continue their discussions, including through diplomatic and military channels, to ensure complete disengagement and de-escalation and full restoration of peace and tranquility along the LAC at the earliest.

“While the Indian troops had always taken a very responsible approach towards border management, but at the same time there should also be no doubt about our determination to protect India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” added India’s Defence Minister.

Taking guidance from the consensus of the leaders, both sides should maintain peace and tranquility in the India-China border areas as is essential for the further development of our bilateral relations.Accordingly, the two sides should resolve the ongoing situation and outstanding issues in the border areas peacefully through dialogue. The Chinese Defence Minister conveyed that Chinese side too desired to resolve the issues peacefully.

RM advised that it was important therefore that Chinese side should work with the Indian side for complete disengagement at the earliest from all friction areas including Pangong Lake as well as de-escalation in border areas in accordance with the bilateral agreements & protocols

— ????? ?????? ????????/ RMO India (@DefenceMinIndia) September 5, 2020

Defence Minister of China, Wei said that both sides should scrupulously implement the consensus reached between Prime Minister Modi and President Xi Jinping and continue to solve the issues through dialogue and consultation, strictly follow the various bilateral agreements, strengthen the regulation of frontline troops and not undertake any provocative actions that might escalate the situation. The two sides should focus on the overall situation of India-China relations and work together to de-escalate the situation as soon as possible, and maintain peace and tranquility in the India-China border areas. The Chinese Defence Minister suggested that both sides should maintain communication at all levels including between the two Ministers.

While adding that India should strengthen management and control of its frontline troops and not make provocations, Wei also reaffirmed to Singh China's commitment and ability to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity in the meeting.

Current situation in Eastern Ladakh

As of September 8, 2020, the Defence Ministry of India stated in a press release that India, while is committed to disengagement and de-escalating the situation on the LAC, China continues to undertake provocative activities to escalate.

“At no stage has the Indian Army transgressed across the LAC or resorted to use of any aggressive means, including firing.It is the PLA that has been blatantly violating agreements and carrying out aggressive manoeuvres, while engagement at military, diplomatic and political level is in progress,” the ministry stated.

Defence Minister of China, Wei said that both sides should scrupulously implement the consensus reached between Prime Minister Modi and President Xi Jinping and continue to solve the issues through dialogue and consultation, strictly follow the various bilateral agreements, strengthen the regulation of frontline troops and not undertake any provocative actions that might escalate the situation.

PLA is the People's Liberation Army which is the armed forces of the People's Republic of China and its founding and ruling political party, the Chinese Communist Party.

According to the press release, in the instant case on September 7, 2020, it was the PLA troops who were attempting to close-in with one of our forward positions along the LAC and when dissuaded by own troops, PLA troops fired a few rounds in the air in an attempt to intimidate own troops. However, despite the grave provocation, own troops exercised great restraint and behaved in a mature and responsible manner.

The Indian Army is committed to maintaining peace and tranquility, however is also determined to protect national integrity and sovereignty at all costs. The statement by the Western Theatre Command is an attempt to mislead their domestic and international audience, the Ministry said.