Return to 2020 Status Quo’: S Jaishankar Details ‘Complete’ India-China Disengagement

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar announced that the India-China disengagement process along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) has been fully completed, marking a significant step in de-escalating tensions between the two countries. According to Jaishankar, the situation at the border has returned to its state before May 2020, a major development in the ongoing diplomatic efforts to restore peace.

Background: India-China Tensions at LAC

Relations between India and China soured in April-May 2020, when Beijing adopted a more aggressive stance at the LAC, particularly in eastern Ladakh. The standoff culminated in a violent clash on June 15, 2020, in the Galwan Valley, which resulted in the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers. Although the exact number of Chinese casualties remains unclear, both sides faced heavy losses in the hand-to-hand combat. The incident marked a turning point in India-China relations, leading to a prolonged standoff.

Since then, both nations have engaged in multiple rounds of military and diplomatic talks over the past four years to defuse tensions and ensure that such clashes do not recur. India’s official stance has been that relations with China can only normalize after the border situation is fully resolved and returned to the status quo that existed before May 2020.

Disengagement Achieved

Jaishankar’s statement came during a public event, where he detailed the completion of the disengagement process. He highlighted that several areas in Ladakh had been blocked for patrolling by both sides since 2020. However, a new agreement has now been reached that allows for the resumption of patrolling by both Indian and Chinese forces, as per the pre-2020 norms.

“What the Foreign Secretary has said is what I can also say, that we reached an agreement on patrolling, and with that, we have gone back to where the situation was in 2020. We can say that the disengagement process with China has been completed,” Jaishankar stated.

He further explained that the agreement marks the culmination of “patient and persevering diplomacy” conducted over the last four years. Since September 2020, India has been negotiating with Chinese officials, including a notable meeting between Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, in Moscow.

Importance of the Agreement

Jaishankar stressed that the latest agreement provides a framework for maintaining peace and tranquility along the LAC, similar to the state before 2020. “I think it’s a good development. It’s a positive development, and I would say it’s the product of very patient and persevering diplomacy,” he added.

The agreement comes after extensive dialogue between India and China through both the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) and military-level talks. The disengagement is expected to lead to long-term stabilization of the border areas, which were hotspots of tension.

Foreign Secretary’s Remarks

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri also addressed the media, shedding light on the patrolling arrangements that have been agreed upon along the LAC. “We have been in discussion with Chinese interlocutors, both through WMCC and military-level meetings. These discussions have resulted in the resolution of standoffs at various locations,” Misri said.

He further elaborated that, as a result of the recent talks, an agreement on patrolling has been reached, which will allow for the resolution of issues that arose in the 2020 standoffs. The resolution is expected to provide a pathway for sustained peace between the two countries.

Looking Forward

While the completion of the disengagement is a major milestone, both India and China will need to ensure that this agreement leads to lasting peace along the LAC. The diplomatic efforts, patience, and perseverance demonstrated by both sides have laid a foundation for a more stable relationship, but continued vigilance will be crucial to avoid any future confrontations.

The successful conclusion of the disengagement process is a positive sign for bilateral relations and offers hope that further improvements can be made as India and China seek to normalize their relations.