In a significant development, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday clarified his statement regarding the ongoing India-China border dispute. He explained that the 75% progress he referred to in earlier remarks was specifically about the disengagement of troops in the volatile eastern Ladakh region, according to a report by news agency ANI.
“When I said 75 per cent of it has been sorted out, it’s only of the disengagement. So, that’s one part of the problem,” Jaishankar explained. The minister made these remarks during a talk at the Asia Society Policy Institute, underscoring the complexities that still linger in the bilateral relationship between India and China.
Increased Tensions Amid the Pandemic
Jaishankar detailed how the already difficult relationship between the two nations worsened during the Covid-19 pandemic when China violated existing border agreements and moved a large number of troops to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh. This provocative action escalated tensions and led to clashes between Indian and Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley, resulting in casualties on both sides.
“We have a difficult history with China. Despite the explicit agreements we had with China, we saw in the middle of Covid that the Chinese moved a large number of forces in violation of these agreements to the Line of Actual Control. It was likely a mishap would happen, and it did,” Jaishankar said, referring to the deadly clashes. “So, there was a clash, and a number of troops died on either side. That, in a sense, overshadowed the relationship.”
Disengagement Achieved, But Issues Remain Says Jaishankar
While the disengagement of forces at major friction points along the border has been largely managed, Jaishankar noted that significant challenges remain. He stressed that the next crucial step is de-escalation, which will help resolve the outstanding patrolling rights issues along the contested border.
“We’ve been able to sort out much of the disengagement in the friction points, but some of the patrolling issues need to be resolved. The next step will be de-escalation,” he added, emphasizing that this phase is essential for restoring normalcy in the bilateral relationship between New Delhi and Beijing.
Volatility in International Relations
Taking a broader perspective, Jaishankar highlighted that India’s relationship with China will play a key role in shaping the future of Asia. However, he cautioned that New Delhi must be prepared to navigate volatility and unpredictability in the global order. His remarks reflect the ongoing geopolitical shifts that are influencing diplomatic strategies across the region.
Ongoing India-China Border Talks
India and China recently held the 31st round of the Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) in Beijing on August 29, in a bid to resolve the prolonged standoff in eastern Ladakh. Both sides agreed to intensify diplomatic contact in an effort to narrow their differences and work towards a peaceful resolution of the border dispute.
During the meeting, India reiterated the importance of respecting the positions on the LAC to restore normalcy in their bilateral ties. This meeting is part of the broader strategy to resolve the India-China border dispute, which continues to dominate talks between the two Asian giants.
A Complex Path Ahead
While there has been significant progress in troop disengagement, the broader border dispute between India and China is far from resolved. Patrolling rights and de-escalation remain as key hurdles, and only through continued dialogue and diplomatic efforts can both nations hope to restore a more stable and peaceful relationship.
In the meantime, the shadow of the eastern Ladakh clashes continues to loom large over New Delhi’s diplomatic relations with Beijing, complicating broader cooperation between the two nations on trade, technology, and regional security issues.
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