External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar has credited both military presence and diplomacy for the recent breakthrough in disengagement talks between India and China at the LAC. This process, set to complete by October 29, follows sustained efforts to negotiate the conditions of patrolling in areas significantly impacted since 2020. Jaishankar emphasized that while progress has been made, full normalization of relations will require ongoing dialogue and trust-building.
External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar has attributed India’s recent diplomatic success concerning the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China to both military resolve and strategic diplomacy. The disengagement process at Depsang and Demchok in eastern Ladakh commenced on Friday, with a completion date set for October 29, and subsequent patrolling expected to resume by October 30-31. During an interaction with students in Pune, Minister Jaishankar articulated that while recent developments signify progress, it remains premature for full normalization of relations, as rebuilding trust will necessitate time and effort. He emphasized the significance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, where it was agreed that the foreign ministers and National Security Advisors from both nations would engage in discussions to chart a path forward. Jaishankar stated, “If today we have reached where we have… One is because of the very determined effort on our part to stand our ground and make our point. The military was there (at LAC) in very unimaginable conditions to defend the country, and the military did its part and diplomacy did its part.” Additionally, he noted that India has substantially increased its annual defense resources, which has facilitated effective military deployment in the region. The minister reflected on the challenging border situation that has persisted since 2020, which adversely affected overall bilateral relations. He remarked that negotiations between India and China began in September 2020 to reach a resolution to the ongoing border tensions. The current focus is on disengagement, as the proximity of troops from both sides creates potential risks. Jaishankar highlighted that while discussions have progressed on troop movements back to their bases, a critical aspect remains the negotiation of patrolling rights. He explained that a significant breakthrough was reached on October 21 regarding the resumption of patrolling in the Depsang and Demchok regions, restoring conditions to what they were prior to recent tensions.
The India-China relationship has been strained due to a series of military standoffs since 2020 along the LAC in Eastern Ladakh. These tensions were exacerbated by incidents such as the violent confrontations in June 2020, leading both nations to deploy additional military resources in the region. Since then, diplomatic channels have been activated to address the disturbances and work towards a peaceful resolution. Recent developments, including bilateral meetings between top leaders and the respective foreign ministers, indicate a willingness from both sides to engage in discussions aimed at de-escalation and normalizing relations. The disengagement process at strategic locations such as Depsang and Demchok marks a significant step forward in this ongoing effort to ease border tensions and restore stability along the LAC.
In summary, the recent agreement between India and China regarding disengagement at critical border points, as highlighted by Minister Jaishankar, reflects a combination of military preparedness and effective diplomacy. Despite these advancements, the path towards full normalization of relations is laden with challenges, requiring sustained dialogue and confidence-building measures between the two nations. The anticipated resumption of patrolling by both countries signals a cautious yet hopeful step towards addressing the lingering disputes along the LAC.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
