Rajnath Singh gifts Chinese counterpart Bihar’s Madhubani painting depicting ‘Tree of life’

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh presented a Madhubani painting from Bihar, to his Chinese counterpart.. ( Image: ANI)

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday met his Chinese counterpart, Admiral Don Jun, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ meeting in Qingdao, China.

Both the defence ministers held discussions on issues about bilateral relations, Rajnath Singh wrote on X.
“Held talks with Admiral Don Jun, the Defence Minister of China, on the sidelines of the SCO Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Qingdao," Rajnath Singh wrote on X, sharing a picture of them.

During his visit to China for the SCO Defence Ministers' Meet, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh presented a
Madhubani painting from Bihar, to his Chinese counterpart.

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This painting has its origins in the Mithila region of Bihar. It is also known as Mithila or Madhubani art. It… pic.twitter.com/z5t5xakpHR

— ANI (@ANI) June 27, 2025

“We had a constructive and forward-looking exchange of views on issues pertaining to bilateral relations," he added.

“Expressed my happiness on the restarting of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra after a gap of nearly six years. It is incumbent on both the sides to maintain this positive momentum and avoid adding new complexities in the bilateral relationship," the Defence Minister mentioned.

Rajnath Singh also presented a Madhubani painting from Bihar to General Don Jun.

What is Madhubani art?

The painting has its origins in the Mithila region of Bihar. It is also known as Mithila or Madhubani art. It is characterised by line drawings filled in with bright colours and contrasts or patterns. These paintings are popular because of their tribal motifs and use of bright, earthy colours.

The Defence Minister arrived in Qingdao on Wednesday evening to attend the SCO conclave.

Besides India and China, the SCO comprises Pakistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

According to an official release, Rajnath Singh briefed his counterpart about the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, 2025, as well as India’s ‘Operation Sindoor,’ which aims to dismantle terrorist networks in Pakistan.

During their discussions, Singh and his counterpart emphasised the importance of maintaining peace and tranquillity along the Indo-China border. Singh underscored the need for effective border management and a permanent solution to border demarcation by rejuvenating the established mechanisms on these issues.

He stressed the necessity of fostering good neighbourly relations to achieve mutual benefits and to enhance cooperation for stability in Asia and globally. Additionally, he called for bridging the trust deficit created by the 2020 border standoff through tangible actions.

The two ministers agreed to continue consultations at various levels to make progress on issues related to disengagement, de-escalation, border management, and eventual delimitation through existing mechanisms. Singh also highlighted the significant milestone of 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

During the conference, Singh refused to sign a joint communiqué of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) due to the omission of the Pahalgam terror attack and the failure to explicitly address India’s concerns over Pakistan-backed cross-border terrorism. At the SCO defence ministers’ conclave, Singh demanded that the horrific terror attack be included in the communiqué, while the Pakistani side suggested adding a paragraph on militant activities in Balochistan, seemingly to blame New Delhi.

Earlier in his address at the conclave, Singh criticised Pakistan for supporting terrorist groups, calling for accountability for the “perpetrators, organisers, financiers, and sponsors” of terrorism, including cross-border terrorism.

'Tree of Life' significance

In Madhubani art, the 'Tree of Life' is a common motif symbolizing growth, strength, and interconnectedness. It represents the cycle of life, personal development, and the harmony between nature and living beings.

The 'Tree of Life' in Madhubani art signifies personal growth, strength, and beauty. It can also represent the universe, wisdom, and mankind's history.