EAM Jaishankar commends military & diplomatic efforts behind India-China LAC patrolling agreement

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar (Image: Reuters)

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, during an interaction with students in Pune, attributed the success of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) patrolling agreement with China to the military and skilful diplomatic efforts.

In response to a question from students, Jaishankar stated that it's still a little early for relations to normalise, highlighting that restoring trust and a willingness to collaborate will naturally take time.

Jaishankar’s remarks came days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia. Welcoming the recent agreement for complete disengagement and resolution of issues that arose in 2020 in the India-China border areas, Prime Minister Modi underscored the importance of properly handling differences and disputes and not allowing them to disturb peace and tranquility.

Jaishankar said that during their meeting, it was decided that their respective foreign ministers and National Security Advisors would convene to discuss the path forward.

“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,” the External Affairs Minister was quoted as saying by PTI.

A significant breakthrough in resolving the four-year-long military standoff was achieved this week when India announced a patrolling agreement with China along the LAC in eastern Ladakh.

Since 2020, the situation on the border has been very disturbed which understandably negatively impacted the overall relationship. Since September 2020, India had been negotiating with the Chinese on how to find a solution, he said.

The disengagement at the LAC between Indian and Chinese forces is expected to be completed by October 28-29.