Sunday, 27 October 2024
Sunday, 27 October 2024
In a significant development for India-China relations, the two nations have begun troop disengagement at the two friction points at Demchok and Depsang Plains in eastern Ladakh, Indian Army sources said on October 25.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on October 26 that this agreement is just the beginning of a lengthy process to address deep-seated issues between the two countries.
Jaishankar clarified that while the latest disengagement will allow patrolling in Depsang and Demchok, it does not signal the resolution of all issues.
"It is not like everything has been resolved, but the disengagement which is the first phase – we have managed to reach that level," he said.
Emphasising India's commitment, he noted, "If today we have reached where we have... One is because of the very determined effort on our part to stand our ground and make our point. The military was there (at LAC) in very very unimaginable conditions to defend the country, and the military did its part and diplomacy did its part."
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian offered a diplomatic nod to recent agreements, underlining that both sides have taken concrete steps to manage tensions along the border.
“In accordance with the resolutions that China and India reached recently on issues concerning the border area, the Chinese and Indian frontier troops are engaged in relevant work, which is going smoothly at the moment," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on October 25.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh outlined India’s balanced approach towards resolution, noting that both military and diplomatic channels are actively engaged in restoring stability.
"India and China have been involved in talks both at military and diplomatic levels to resolve differences in certain areas along the LAC," Singh stated on October 24. "The consensus achieved includes patrolling and grazing (cattle) in traditional areas. This is the power of engaging in continuous dialogue because sooner or later, solutions will emerge."
The recent agreement seeks to restore the "status quo of April 2020," according to Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, a stance which signifies India’s focus on de-escalation.
"We are trying to restore the trust, and both sides will have to reassure each other to achieve this," Gen. Dwivedi explained. “There are phases in that…we will be looking at disengagement, de-escalation and normal management of Line of Actual Control.”
Referring to New Delhi's consistent position on the eastern Ladakh row, foreign secretary Vikram Misri said, restoration of peace and tranquillity in the border areas will create space for returning towards the path of normalisation of bilateral relations between the India and China.
Navy Vice Chief Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan praised the breakthrough, highlighting the complexities involved in reaching an agreement. "In national security issues, it is not easy to come to any kind of a settlement," Swaminathan noted. "There are views, there are perceptions, there are emotive issues. There are land issues and there are national security considerations... So, if you come to any kind of settlement... all of us are happy."
