China said on Tuesday that Defense Minister General Li Shangfu would visit India this week to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Defense Ministers’ meeting from April 27. During the tour, Lee is expected to hold talks with Defense Minister Rajnath Singh. The visit to India of General Li, considered a close aide of Chinese President Xi Jinping, is being considered significant as it is taking place amid a tense standoff between the armies of India and China in eastern Ladakh since May 2020.
China’s Defense Ministry said in a statement, ‘On invitation, Chinese State Councilor and Defense Minister General Li Shangfu will attend the meeting of the Council of Defense Ministers of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states in New Delhi from April 27-28.
General Li will address the conference
“During the meeting, General Li will address the conference and meet with the heads of delegations of respective countries to communicate and exchange views on the international and regional situation as well as issues of defense and security cooperation,” the statement said.
Ahead of Gen Li’s visit, China-India Corps Commander level meeting took place. Gen Li is expected to hold a bilateral meeting with Defense Minister Singh and discuss the progress of military and diplomatic talks to resolve the standoff. Ahead of General Li’s visit, the Chinese Defense Ministry spoke positively about the 18th round of the China-India Corps Commander-level meeting held on April 23 at the Chushul-Moldo border site.
China has said that the two sides have agreed to “expedite” the resolution of “relevant issues” related to the long-standing standoff in eastern Ladakh, besides maintaining peace in the border areas. The statement of the Ministry of Defense said that there was an exchange of friendly and frank views between the two sides on relevant issues.
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