India and China have made significant progress to resolve the military standoff between Indian and Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh along the Line of Actual Control. Things took a nasty turn in May 2020 when troops from both countries engaged in an aggressive face-off and skirmishes near the disputed Pangong Lake in Ladakh.
The situation is under control, with the External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar saying about 75 percent of the disengagement problems with the neighboring country has been sorted out. However, he said the bigger issue that is militarization of the border by the Chinese remains a problem. The minister highlighted that negotiations have been ongoing.
Both sides have been reviewing the situation and are working towards a resolution. This is the first time that Jaishankar has quantified the progress being made by India. But the issue remains tense, the ground reality remains murky. India and China have a complex relationship.
India Pushes for Complete Disengagement
Ajit Doval, the National Security Adviser, told China’s Wang Yi that a stable LAC is a prerequisite for restoring normalcy in the broader bilateral relationship between India and China. He emphasized the need to strictly adhere to the agreements and protocols that New Delhi and Beijing have reached over the years.
India and China will work with urgency and step up efforts for complete disengagement in the remaining areas. Jaishankar acknowledged that more work needs to be done. He said there is a bigger issue that both countries have brought forces close up, thus militarization of the border.
This has no doubt affected their relations. The Indian minister said no country can afford to have violence at the border. He hopes for a resolution and return to peace and tranquility.
