External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar provided insights on the ongoing de-escalation process between India and China in eastern Ladakh during a statement on Sunday. He emphasized that both nations will require time to fully implement the disengagement of troops, marking a significant step towards reducing hostilities along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
Jaishankar highlighted that the recent disengagement at critical points like Depsang and Demchok represents the initial phase in restoring peace in the region. “The next stage will involve de-escalation,” he noted, stressing that this process will only advance when India is assured that China is reciprocating in good faith.
Earlier this month, India and China announced a breakthrough in negotiations concerning patrolling and disengagement, effectively ending a standoff that has persisted for four years in eastern Ladakh. The agreement aims to address tensions that escalated following the violent clashes in June 2020, which resulted in the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers, along with an undisclosed number of Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley incident.
Jaishankar stated that the government is hopeful about restoring the situation along the LAC to its pre-2020 status, though he acknowledged the complexity and time-consuming nature of this undertaking. “The issue at hand involves disengagement and patrolling, which means our armies had previously been in close proximity, and now they are retreating to their respective bases,” he elaborated. He emphasized that discussions on how to manage the borders will follow the de-escalation phase.
The disengagement process officially commenced on October 23, shortly after India and China confirmed their agreement on resolving the standoff at Depsang and Demchok, which are now considered the last significant flashpoints in the region.
In a related development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, marking their first direct engagement since 2019. During this meeting, Modi reiterated the importance of maintaining peace and stability at the border as a top priority for both nations.
As the de-escalation process unfolds, all eyes will be on the commitment of both India and China to ensuring a lasting resolution to the tensions that have characterized their relations in recent years.
