External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr. S. Jaishankar, addressing the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, provided a detailed update on India’s efforts to restore peace and stability along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China. He emphasized that normalization of the bilateral relationship remains contingent on the restoration of peace and tranquility in the border areas.
Diplomatic and Military Engagements
Since the Galwan Valley clashes in 2020, India’s engagement with China has focused on addressing border tensions, Dr. Jaishankar stated. These efforts involved multiple levels of discussion, coordinated across diplomatic and military channels.
#WATCH | In the Lok Sabha, EAM Dr S Jaishankar says “We have been very clear that the restoration of peace and tranquility would be the basis for the rest of the relationship to move forward. Since 2020, our engagement was therefore focused on that objective. This took place at… pic.twitter.com/GkGoGnJ0qY
— ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2024
The EAM highlighted his own meetings with his Chinese counterpart, as well as engagements by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, who serves as one of the Special Representatives for the boundary question.
At the working level, 17 meetings of the Working Mechanism for Cooperation and Coordination (WMCC) and 21 rounds of discussions under the Senior Highest Military Commanders (SHMC) mechanism have taken place since June 2020. These platforms have been instrumental in facilitating dialogue and maintaining coordination between diplomatic and military officials during negotiations.
Agreement on Depsang and Demchok
Dr. Jaishankar informed the House about a significant breakthrough reached on October 21, 2024, concerning the border areas of Depsang and Demchok. These areas had remained contentious since the 2020 border standoff, and efforts to address the situation have been ongoing since September 2022, following the last disengagement agreement at Hot Springs.
The agreement aims to reduce instability in the local situation and mend the broader bilateral relationship, both of which have been impacted since the border conflict escalated.
Twin Focus Areas
Depsang and Demchok have been pivotal in the discussions between the two nations due to their strategic significance. Dr. Jaishankar underlined that resolving issues in these areas reflects India’s commitment to ensuring the security and sovereignty of its borders while maintaining open communication with Beijing.
Path Forward
The EAM reiterated India’s firm stance that restoring peace along the LAC is essential for any forward movement in India-China relations. He assured the House that all discussions and agreements are being conducted with utmost care, emphasizing national security and the interests of the Indian armed forces.
Dr. Jaishankar’s statement comes at a time when India-China relations remain under scrutiny, and his update marks a step forward in addressing long-standing border disputes. Further details on the implementation of the October 2024 agreement are expected in the coming months.
