Tue Dec 03 11:15:49 UTC 2024: ## India-China Relations Show Improvement After Border Tensions Ease

**New Delhi, [Date of Publication]** – India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar announced a recent improvement in India-China relations, following a period of heightened tension stemming from a 2020 military clash in eastern Ladakh. Speaking to the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, Mr. Jaishankar attributed the improvement to continuous diplomatic engagement, including nearly two dozen rounds of military commander talks.

The 2020 border confrontation, which resulted in fatalities on both sides for the first time in 45 years, led to a significant build-up of troops along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Mr. Jaishankar praised the Indian armed forces for their rapid and effective response despite logistical challenges and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

While acknowledging the need for continued vigilance, the minister highlighted three key principles for managing the border areas: strict adherence to the LAC, a commitment to avoid unilateral alterations of the status quo, and full compliance with past agreements.

Recent progress includes the complete disengagement of troops from friction points in eastern Ladakh, specifically in the Depsang and Demchok areas. This follows similar disengagements in the Pangong Lake and Gogra-Hot Springs areas in previous years, with both sides returning to pre-April 2020 positions. The Indian government has confirmed the full implementation of an October agreement that facilitated these troop withdrawals and the resumption of pre-2020 patrolling routes.

The next priority, according to Mr. Jaishankar, is de-escalation, addressing the overall troop presence along the LAC. This positive development follows a recent meeting between Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Chinese counterpart, Dong Jun, marking the first ministerial-level meeting since the disengagement. The two ministers met on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit in Laos. Both sides have expressed optimism that these steps will contribute to the normalization of bilateral relations.

Read More