External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar highlighted on Tuesday that when he referred to “75% progress” in border dispute talks with China, he was specifically addressing the disengagement of troops in eastern Ladakh, as reported by ANI.
“When I said 75% of it has been sorted out, it refers only to the disengagement. That’s just one part of the issue,” Jaishankar clarified.
Speaking at the Asia Society Policy Institute, Jaishankar reiterated that China’s violation of previous border agreements and its increased troop deployment during the Covid-19 pandemic heightened tensions along eastern Ladakh, eventually leading to clashes. These clashes, according to the minister, have overshadowed other areas of India’s bilateral relationship with Beijing.
“We have a complicated history with China. Despite explicit agreements, we witnessed during Covid that the Chinese deployed large forces to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in violation of those agreements. A clash occurred, and unfortunately, troops from both sides lost their lives. This event, in many ways, overshadowed the broader relationship,” Jaishankar said.
He added that while much of the dispute at key friction points has been “managed,” challenges remain regarding patrolling rights along the border. Jaishankar emphasized the importance of “de-escalation” as the next critical step toward improving broader relations between New Delhi and Beijing.
“We’ve sorted out much of the disengagement in the friction areas, but patrolling issues still need to be addressed… The next phase will be de-escalation,” he noted.
Taking a broader view of India’s relationship with China, Jaishankar described it as “key to the future of Asia” but cautioned that India must be prepared for “volatility and unpredictability” in the evolving global order.
India’s Talks with China
India and China held their 31st meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) in Beijing on August 29 to address the ongoing border standoff in eastern Ladakh. Both sides agreed to intensify engagement to resolve differences and find a swift resolution to outstanding issues, with India stressing that respecting the Line of Actual Control (LAC) is essential for restoring normalcy in their bilateral relationship.
