Defence Minister Rajnath Singh holds bilateral meetings with Kazakh, Chinese and Iran counterparts on sidelines of SCO meeting

New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held separate bilateral meetings with Minister of Defence of Kazakhstan Colonel General Ruslan Zhaxylykov and Minister of Defence of Tajikistan Colonel General Sherali Mirzo in New Delhi yesterday. The meeting took place in a cordial and warm atmosphere. Both the leaders emphasized on the age-old cultural, linguistic and civilizational ties between the two countries, including people-to-people connections.

 

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also held a bilateral meeting with Iran's Minister of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics Brigadier General Mohammed Reza Gharaei Ashtiyani yesterday. Both the Ministers reviewed the bilateral defence cooperation and exchanged views on regional security issues, including peace and stability in Afghanistan. 

Further, the two Ministers discussed the development of the International North-South Transport corridor to ease logistic problems in



Afghanistan and other countries in Central Asia. 

 

While meeting with the Minister of National Defence of China General Li Shangfu in New Delhi today, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh categorically conveyed that the development of relations between India and China is premised on the prevalence of peace and tranquillity at the borders. He added that all issues at the LAC need to be resolved in accordance with existing bilateral agreements and commitments. 

Defence Minister reiterated that violation of existing agreements has eroded the entire basis of bilateral relations and disengagement at the border will logically be followed with de-escalation.

 

These Ministers are visiting Delhi at the invitation of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ Meeting to be held today.