Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed optimism regarding the ongoing talks between India and China amid the prolonged military standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh. In an interview with PTI on Saturday, Singh indicated progress in the discussions and conveyed hope for a resolution to the persistent dispute. Additionally, he emphasized India’s rapid development of infrastructure along the border with China, reaffirming the country’s commitment to ensuring the security of its borders.
“The talks are going on well,” he stated, refraining from providing further details due to the sensitive nature of the ongoing dialogue.
When questioned about his optimism for a favorable resolution and the conclusion of the nearly four-year standoff between the two militaries, Singh responded assertively, stating, “If there was no hope, then why to have talks.” He further remarked, “They (the Chinese side) also have hope, and that is why holding the talks.”
The standoff between the Indian and Chinese militaries has persisted since May 2020, with a comprehensive resolution to the border dispute still pending, despite disengagement from several friction points by both sides. Additionally, the defence minister criticized the Congress for consistently criticizing the government regarding the eastern Ladakh standoff. “They (Congress) are questioning the bravery of Indian soldiers …who are you demoralising? What is your intention? I can also go back to 1962 as well,” he said.
The relationship between the two countries deteriorated significantly after the intense clash in the Galwan Valley in June 2020, which represented the most severe military confrontation between the two sides in decades.
India has consistently asserted that normalization of its relationship with China hinges upon peace in the border regions. The two sides convened the latest round of high-level military discussions in February with the objective of resolving the dispute. While the 21st round of talks did not yield any breakthrough indications, both parties agreed to uphold “peace and tranquility” on the ground and sustain dialogue regarding the path forward. The subsequent round of military discussions is anticipated to take place in the near future.
In January, Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande remarked that the situation along the LAC in eastern Ladakh remains “stable” yet “sensitive.” He emphasized that Indian troops are sustaining a “very high state” of operational readiness to handle any potential developments effectively. General Pande also noted that India and China are engaged in discussions at both military and diplomatic levels, aiming to restore the “status quo ante” that prevailed in mid-2020.
The standoff along the eastern Ladakh border began on May 5, 2020, subsequent to a violent confrontation in the Pangong Lake region. Through a series of military and diplomatic discussions, both parties successfully concluded the disengagement process at various friction points, encompassing the north and south banks of the Pangong Lake as well as the Gogra area.