India and China successfully concluded their latest round of disengagement on October 21, with the implementation of these agreements currently underway, according to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. Speaking at a joint press conference with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong in Canberra, Jaishankar described the completion of this disengagement phase as a “positive development.”
Details of the Disengagement Agreements
When questioned about the recent disengagement, Jaishankar elaborated, “On October 21st, we concluded the last lot of disengagement agreements, having done some earlier. These are currently in the process of being implemented. The last agreement primarily focused on the patrolling rights of the two sides. Overall, we believe this is a positive step.”
Jaishankar noted that both Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping had agreed to further meetings between the national security advisors and foreign ministers of both countries. He emphasized that once the disengagement process is fully completed, attention would shift to other challenges, including the de-escalation of military forces along the border. This agreement was reached during a meeting between Modi and Xi on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, where both leaders acknowledged the significance of their nations’ relationship for regional and global stability.
Defense Minister’s Statements on Ongoing Discussions
India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh echoed these sentiments, stating that discussions at both diplomatic and military levels are ongoing to resolve conflicts along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Singh noted a broad consensus has emerged to restore the ground situation based on equal and mutual security. “The agreement includes rights related to patrolling and grazing in traditional areas,” he said, adding that the disengagement process is nearly complete. He expressed hopes to move beyond mere disengagement but indicated that this will take additional time.
The border standoff between India and China originated in eastern Ladakh along the LAC in 2020, triggered by aggressive military actions from China. This incident has resulted in sustained tensions and has significantly strained bilateral relations. Earlier in the day, the spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in India confirmed via social media platform X that troops from both countries are successfully implementing the resolutions reached concerning border area issues.
Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong also expressed optimism, hoping that bilateral relations would progress smoothly without being hindered by specific disagreements. The recent developments in disengagement suggest a cautious yet constructive path forward in addressing longstanding issues between the two nations.