Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held discussions with his Chinese counterpart Dong Jun on the sidelines of the 11th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) in Vientiane, Laos. It marked the first meeting between Defence Ministers following the disengagement of Indian and Chinese troops at the remaining face-off points in eastern Ladakh.
During the meeting, Rajnath Singh emphasized that amicable relations between India and China would significantly contribute to global peace and prosperity. An official statement from the Ministry of Defence highlighted that the talks focused on the current situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and the future trajectory of India-China relations.
Singh underscored India’s commitment to constructive engagement, stating, “We need to focus on cooperation rather than conflict.” He stressed that the lessons from the 2020 border clashes should guide both sides in taking measures to prevent such incidents in the future and ensure peace and stability along the border.
Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh today held a bilateral meeting with Chinese Defence Minister Mr Dong Jun in Vientiane, Lao PDR and discussed issues of shared interest.#ADMMPlus pic.twitter.com/1JMu3QcD7b
— Ministry of Defence, Government of India (@SpokespersonMoD) November 20, 2024
The Defence Minister called for enhanced confidence-building measures and urged both nations to work towards de-escalation, fostering trust through sustained dialogue and collaboration. Both sides agreed to explore a roadmap for rebuilding mutual trust and understanding, aiming for a stable and harmonious relationship.
Bilateral Talks with Malaysian and Lao Defence Ministers
After arriving in Lao PDR, Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh met his Malaysian counterpart Dato Seri Mohamed Khaled Bin Nordin in Vientiane. They briefly discussed defence cooperation & #regionalsecurity, to foster a stronger bilateral partnership. #DefenceCooperation… pic.twitter.com/cTBwnW6ca6
— Ministry of Defence, Government of India (@SpokespersonMoD) November 20, 2024
In addition to his meeting with Chinese Defence Minister Admiral Dong Jun, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh met his Malaysian counterpart Dato’ Seri Mohamed Khaled Bin Nordin and the Defence Minister of Lao PDR General Chansamone Chanyalath in Vientiane.
During his meeting with the Malaysian Defence Minister, the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to fostering regional security and stability. They discussed mutual efforts to achieve meaningful outcomes and looked ahead to the Malaysia-India Defence Committee Meeting, scheduled for the first quarter of 2025. This upcoming dialogue will focus on enhancing bilateral defence cooperation between the two nations.
India and Malaysia, as co-chairs of the ADMM-Plus Expert Working Group on Counter-Terrorism, also reviewed ongoing initiatives under this framework and pledged to deepen collaboration to combat regional security challenges.
These discussions highlight India’s proactive engagement with ASEAN member states, reinforcing partnerships for a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.
Rajnath Singh is currently on a three-day visit to Vientiane, where he will participate in the 11th ADMM-Plus on November 21. He is set to address the forum, presenting India’s perspective on regional and global security challenges.
The ADMM-Plus is a strategic platform comprising the 10 ASEAN member states and eight key dialogue partners: India, China, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia, and the United States. It serves as a vital forum for fostering dialogue and cooperation on regional defence and security issues.
Team BharatShakti
