'Avoid new complexities': Rajnath's strong message to China; meets defence minister Dong Jun on SCO Summit sidelines; Kailash Mansarovar yatra discussed

NEW DELHI: Defence minister Rajnath Singh met China’s counterpart Dong Jun in Qingdao on the sidelines of the SCO Defence Ministers’ Meeting and discussed the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, which had been suspended for almost six years following the Galwan Valley clash. In a post on X, Singh announced that the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is now set to resume. The pilgrimage was suspended initially in 2020 because of the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequently because of the military standoff between the two sides on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh's Galwan Valley, which resulted in the death of 20 Indian soldiers and at least four Chinese troops.

“Held talks with Admiral Dong Jun, the Defence Minister of China, on the sidelines of the SCO Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Qingdao.

We had a constructive and forward-looking exchange of views on issues pertaining to bilateral relation," the defence minister said. He also presented a Madhubani painting from Bihar to his Chinese counterpart.This traditional art form, also known as Mithila painting, originates in Bihar’s Mithila region. It is characterised by intricate line drawings filled with bright colours, patterns, and tribal motifs. These paintings are popular for their vivid earthy tones and distinctive designs.