New Delhi – External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar announced progress in the disengagement process between India and China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), marking a step toward improving strained bilateral relations. Speaking on Sunday in Brisbane, Australia, Jaishankar noted that although significant issues remain unresolved following a prolonged military standoff, recent developments have opened doors for further diplomatic actions.
The breakthrough came on October 21, when both countries reached an agreement on patrolling protocols in Ladakh. Indian troops are now verifying disengagement at two critical points, Demchok and Depsang, which have been major areas of tension since the standoff began in April-May 2020. According to Jaishankar, this phase of “disengagement” helps reduce the risk of unintended incidents, as troops from both sides are now maintaining a safer distance.
Reflecting on the state of India-China relations, Jaishankar acknowledged the improvement but underscored that the standoff’s legacy issues still need to be addressed. “There are still large numbers of Chinese troops stationed along the LAC, who were not present before 2020, and India has counter-deployed forces,” he said, highlighting that these unresolved matters continue to affect the broader bilateral relationship. Additionally, Jaishankar emphasized that disengagement is only “one part of the issue” and that broader measures are required to restore normalcy.
During their October 23 meeting in Kazan, Russia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping decided that both countries’ National Security Advisers (NSAs) and foreign ministers will hold discussions to outline the next steps toward resolving border tensions and restoring stable ties. Jaishankar expressed cautious optimism, indicating that disengagement could pave the way for more comprehensive diplomatic efforts.
The long-standing standoff has significantly impacted India-China relations, leading to measures such as India’s ban on Chinese apps, visa restrictions for Chinese nationals, and limits on Chinese investments. The standoff brought both nations to deploy over 50,000 troops each in the Ladakh sector, marking the lowest point in relations since the 1962 border conflict.
In response to a question about what the thaw in relations could mean for the Quad alliance—which includes India, the US, Japan, and Australia—Jaishankar highlighted that the group serves a larger purpose, bringing together democracies with shared values. He noted that the Quad addresses a range of global issues, from connectivity and climate forecasting to shared fellowship programs, emphasizing its role as a collaborative effort among nations with common perspectives on the global order.
Jaishankar’s remarks also underscored India’s pivot toward Southeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific, in line with its “Look East” and “Act East” policies. He noted that more than half of India’s trade flows eastward, underscoring the importance of these regions to India’s strategic and economic priorities.
As part of his six-day tour of Australia and Singapore, Jaishankar is set to inaugurate India’s fourth consulate in Australia, located in Brisbane. He will also co-chair the Foreign Ministers’ Framework Dialogue with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong in Canberra on Monday.
