Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said India was “determined to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of unilateralism and aggression, no matter what the sacrifice” but desisted yet again from naming China.

Singh’s statement came just a day before the scheduled eight rounds of military talks between India and China to resolve the border standoff in eastern Ladakh.

So far, the seventh rounds of talks between the two sides have failed to achieve any breakthrough and the Chinese troops continue to hold on to their newly occupied zones at multiple friction points since May.

In an apparent reference to the ongoing border standoff with China, he said: “India is a peace loving country. We believe that differences should not become disputes. We attach importance to the peaceful resolution of differences through dialogue. India is determined to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of unilateralism and aggression, no matter what the sacrifice.”

Speaking on the Diamond jubilee seminar of the National Defence College, the defence minister said India had forged close relationships with like-minded countries such as the US, Japan and Australia that have common interests on security.

“India has also forged a very special partnership with reliable friends like France and Israel. We value their support and will continue to build upon it in the future as well,” Singh said.

He also mentioned India’s old ally Russia.

“India also has strong, traditional and deep-rooted relations with Russia. Our two countries have weathered many a challenge in the past through our close understanding and appreciation of each other’s concerns and interests.”

The minister also highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s outreach to countries in West Asia, South East and East Asia.

“We have enhanced the scope and quality of our relations with Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Oman in the West and with Indonesia, Vietnam and South Korea in the East.”

On Pakistan, he said the neighbouring country remained adamant in the use of terrorism as state policy.

“However, we have achieved substantial success in working with progressive and like-minded countries to not only expose Pakistan’s regressive policies but also make it increasingly difficult to continue with its previous business as usual approach.”

The minister said peace could only be ensured through the ability to deter war.

“Perhaps, the most fundamental lesson that the roller coaster of the rise and fall of nations taught us was that peace cannot necessarily be achieved by a desire for peace, but by the ability to deter war.”

A fresh round of military talks will be held on Friday along the contested Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Chushul sector.

The Indian side has been pushing for disengagement from all friction points — Pangong Lake, Hot Springs and Depsang Plains — and restoration of status quo ante during the talks, but the Chinese troops have so far refused to pull back.

Since May, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army has altered the unmarked LAC at several friction points and as per estimates they have taken over close to 1,000sqkm of India claimed territory.

New commander of the Leh-based 14 Corps, Lieutenant General P.G.K. Menon, will lead the eight rounds of talks for the first time.