India-China LAC disengagement: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has credited Indias recent success in reaching a disengagement agreement with China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) to both the steadfast presence of Indian troops and skilled diplomacy. Addressing students in Pune, Jaishankar noted that while some progress has been achieved, full normalcy in bilateral relations is still distant, as the rebuilding of trust will be a gradual process.Jaishankars remarks follow Prime Minister Narendra Modis bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Kazan, Russia, where both leaders agreed that foreign ministers and National Security Advisors would meet to plan further steps forward.Indias stance against ChinaJaishankar explained, “Our current position is a result of our determined efforts to assert our stance. The military has operated under challenging conditions at the LAC to protect the nation, and both military and diplomatic efforts have played crucial roles.” He noted that Indias defense budget has increased fivefold over the last decade, strengthening military readiness. According to Jaishankar, the combination of diplomacy and military capability has positioned India effectively in its discussions with China.Focus on disengagement and de-escalationSince 2020, the situation along the LAC has been unstable, impacting India-China relations. Jaishankar said that negotiations began in September 2020 to find a resolution to border tensions. “Currently, our efforts are concentrated on disengagement,” he emphasized, adding that the immediate goal is to reduce the risk of confrontation by separating troops.A step forward in India-China relationsIndia and China have reached some mutual agreements regarding troop deployments, with the primary focus on re-establishing patrolling in areas where it was previously blocked. Jaishankar remarked, “What occurred on October 21 was an agreement to restore patrolling in the areas of Depsang and Demchok to previous norms.”This historic disengagement phase marks a critical step toward restoring peace along the LAC.
