Jaishankar Attributes India-China LAC Breakthrough to Military and Diplomatic Efforts

India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar attributed the breakthrough agreement with China regarding LAC patrolling to the combined efforts of military readiness and diplomatic engagement. The disengagement process at Depsang and Demchok commenced on October 21 and is set to conclude by October 29, with patrolling resuming shortly thereafter. Jaishankar emphasized the need for patience in rebuilding trust between the two nations after tensions were heightened since 2020.

On Saturday, External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar attributed India’s notable diplomatic breakthrough with China regarding the patrolling protocols along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) to effective military resilience and adept diplomatic strategies. This agreement initiated the process of disengagement at important locations such as Depsang and Demchok in eastern Ladakh, which commenced on Friday and is anticipated to conclude by October 29. The patrolling activities by both nations will reportedly resume on October 30-31. During an interaction with students in Pune, Minister Jaishankar emphasized the significance of time in the normalization of relations between India and China, noting that rebuilding trust and cooperation will require patience. He recalled a recent bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held in Kazan, Russia, in which it was determined that the foreign ministers and National Security Advisors from both countries would meet to discuss future steps. 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 very unimaginable conditions to defend the country, and the military did its part and diplomacy did its part.” He highlighted India’s significant investment in military resources, stating, “Today we have put in five times more resources annually than there used to be a decade ago which is showing results and enabling the military to actually be effectively deployed.” Reflecting on the disturbed nature of the border situation since 2020, Jaishankar noted that this turmoil has adversely impacted the broader India-China relationship. Since September 2020, India has engaged in negotiations with China to seek resolutions, with the priority being the disengagement of troops to mitigate close-range tensions. Jaishankar elaborated on the ongoing negotiations, “Then there is a larger issue of how you manage the border and negotiate the boundary settlement. Right now everything that’s going is concerning the first part which is disengagement.” He added that India and China had previously reached understandings on troop returns to their bases, but the critical issue remained the blocking of patrolling. The breakthrough achieved on October 21 was specifically aimed at resuming patrolling in the Depsang and Demchok regions to their former conditions, as maintained prior to the recent conflicts.

The ongoing geopolitical tensions between India and China have primarily stemmed from territorial disputes along the LAC, particularly in eastern Ladakh. Following aggressive standoffs since 2020, both nations found themselves in a protracted state of military alertness. This situation necessitated various rounds of diplomatic engagement to navigate the complexities of border management and troop disengagement. Recent developments indicate an effort from India’s side to enhance military capabilities significantly, thereby allowing for stronger negotiation positions in discussions with China during high-level diplomatic meetings.

In conclusion, India’s recent diplomatic developments concerning engagement with China along the LAC are indicative of a multifaceted approach combining military preparedness with strategic diplomacy. The gradual process of troop disengagement marks a positive shift in bilateral relations, although the path to complete normalization remains lengthy. The commitment to maintaining peace through shared dialogue signifies opportunities for future collaboration between both nations.

Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com