External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar announced a significant breakthrough in India’s relations with China regarding patrolling along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The agreement, which involves disengagement at Depsang and Demchok in eastern Ladakh, began on Friday and is set to be completed by October 29. Patrolling by both nations is scheduled to resume on October 30-31.
Speaking to students in Pune, Jaishankar emphasized that while progress has been made, it remains early for a full normalization of relations, noting that rebuilding trust will take time. He referred to a recent bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Kazan, Russia, where it was decided that the foreign ministers and National Security Advisors of both countries would convene to discuss further steps.
Jaishankar highlighted the importance of India’s military readiness and effective diplomacy in reaching this agreement. “Our determined efforts to stand our ground and make our point have been crucial,” he stated, commending the military for its efforts under challenging conditions. He noted that India has significantly increased its annual defense resources over the past decade, which has enhanced military deployment capabilities.
Since the border tensions escalated in 2020, Jaishankar remarked that the situation had adversely affected overall bilateral relations. He revealed that India has been negotiating with China since September 2020 to find a resolution to the border disputes.
He outlined the ongoing issues: immediate disengagement to reduce troop proximity, de-escalation of military presence, and long-term boundary negotiations. Currently, the focus remains on disengagement, as troops are stationed dangerously close to one another.
Jaishankar noted that while some understanding had been reached regarding troop withdrawals in certain areas, significant discussions had centered around the resumption of patrolling rights, which had been blocked for an extended period. The recent agreement specifically addresses the resumption of patrolling in Depsang and Demchok, returning to pre-2020 practices.
This development marks a pivotal step in addressing the longstanding tensions between India and China along their shared border.
