Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar addressed the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, highlighting progress in India-China relations, which have been “abnormal” since the April 2020 clashes in eastern Ladakh. He credited continuous diplomatic engagement for recent improvements, particularly following the October agreement that led to troop disengagement and resumption of patrolling in disputed areas.
Three Principles for Border Management
Mr. Jaishankar outlined three foundational principles essential for maintaining peace along the Line of Actual Control (LAC):
1.Strict respect and observance of the LAC.
2.No unilateral alteration of the status quo.
3.Full adherence to past agreements and understandings.
These principles, he emphasized, must be observed under all circumstances to prevent future tensions.
Diplomatic and Military Efforts Yield Results
Mr. Jaishankar praised the Indian armed forces for their swift counter-deployment in response to China’s troop amassment in 2020, despite logistical challenges and the pandemic. He also acknowledged nearly two dozen rounds of diplomatic and military talks that culminated in the October 2024 agreement.
The deal, which included disengagement in Depsang and Demchok, has been fully implemented, he noted, marking a significant step towards restoring the pre-2020 status quo along the LAC.
De-escalation: The Next Priority
The Minister highlighted that while troop disengagement at friction points has been achieved, the next goal is de-escalation to address the large-scale deployment of forces along the LAC.
Strengthening Bilateral Ties
The announcement comes on the heels of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s meeting with his Chinese counterpart, Dong Jun, during the ASEAN Summit in Laos. This meeting marked the first ministerial-level dialogue since the Ladakh disengagement and underlines the importance of sustained engagement.
Positive Developments Along the LAC
The recent disengagement follows earlier successful actions at Pangong Lake (2021) and Gogra-Hot Springs (2022), where troops from both nations returned to pre-April 2020 positions. These developments indicate a potential roadmap to restoring peace and stability along the LAC.
