NB Viewpoint | On the backdrop of SCO, India's important discussions with China, Russia & Belarus

“"As major neighbouring countries and important developing countries, China and India share far more common interests than differences. The two sides should view bilateral relations and each other's development from a comprehensive, long-term and strategic perspective, and jointly contribute wisdom and strength to the world and regional peace and stability" - General Li Shangfu, Chinese Defence Minister

“"India & Russia Defence Ministers expressed satisfaction over the continued trust and mutual respect between the two countries, particularly in defence and reiterated their commitment towards strengthening the partnership" - Ministry of Defence (India)

“"Had fruitful discussions with the Defence Minister of Belarus, Lieutenant General Khernin Victor Gennadievich in New Delhi" - Rajnath Singh, Indian Defence Minister

New Delhi, Apr 29: On the backdrop of the SCO meet that concluded on Friday (Apr 28), several nations' Defence Ministers and Military personnel have been on a visit to the national capital this week. Before the official SCO meet, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held bilateral talks with all his counterparts who had arrived in New Delhi for the meet, where important subjects were discussed.

After no handshake with China, Defence Minister General Li Shangfu on Thursday (Apr 27) vouched for a "comprehensive, long-term and strategic perspective," with India. Notably, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh did not exchange handshake with Li ahead of the bilateral meeting with his Chinese counterpart Li, while, he had handshakes with Tajik, Iranian and Kazakh counterparts ahead of the bilateral. Li pointed out that currently, the situation on the China-India border is generally stable and the two sides have maintained communication through military and diplomatic channels

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On the sidelines of the SCO Defence Ministers' meet, Singh held bilateral with his Russian counterpart General Sergei K Shoigu on Friday (Apr 28). The two Ministers spoke on a variety of topics related to bilateral defence cooperation, including industrial cooperation and military-to-military ties. They also discussed the Russian defence industry's participation in the 'Make in India' initiative and ways to provide further impetus to it, the Ministry of Defence said in an official statement.

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Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday (Apr 28) held a bilateral meeting with his Belarusian counterpart Lieutenant General Viktor Gennadievich Khrenin, on the sidelines of the SCO Defence Ministers' meeting in Delhi. However, not much details of the discussion were made public by the Ministry of Defence.