External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar stated on Saturday that the disengagement process with China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh has been addressed, shifting the priority to de-escalation.
Speaking about the ongoing situation, Jaishankar emphasised the importance of restoring normalcy in the region while maintaining diplomatic engagement with Beijing.
Jaishankar further expressed cautious optimism about improved India-China relations after the final round of disengagement but stopped short of suggesting a complete reset in ties.
“I see disengagement as disengagement; nothing more, nothing less. If you look at our current situation with China, we have an issue where our troops are uncomfortably close along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) which required us to disengage,” he said at the HT Leadership Summit.
Jaishankar emphasised that de-escalation should follow the completion of disengagement along the LAC, suggesting it could lead to some improvement in India-China relations. However, he described the overall ties as ‘complicated’ due to various factors.
The Indian and Chinese militaries recently completed disengagement at Demchok and Depsang in eastern Ladakh, resuming patrols after a 4.5-year gap. Jaishankar emphasised that de-escalation should follow this progress.
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He emphasised that the Russia-Ukraine conflict cannot be resolved on the battlefield. He highlighted India’s efforts to mediate by facilitating conversations and identifying common ground, which could be shared with both parties if mutually agreeable.
He further highlighted India’s political stability, emphasising its significance amid global political turbulence. He remarked on the achievement of being elected three times consecutively in a democracy, referencing India’s parliamentary elections. On Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential election, Jaishankar noted it reflected persistent and intensified concerns among American voters that first propelled Trump to power.
