India and China Make Progress in Disengagement at Demchok and Depsang Plains
In a recent development, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar announced “some progress” in the disengagement between India and China at Demchok and Depsang Plains along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Speaking to the Indian community at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia, Jaishankar described the disengagement as a “welcome” step that could lead to further diplomatic engagement between the two countries.
Jaishankar highlighted that the relationship between India and China had been strained due to violent encounters along the LAC in eastern Ladakh in 2020, which resulted in casualties on both sides. He noted that while progress has been made, challenges remain, particularly with the substantial presence of Chinese troops along the LAC, prompting India to counter-deploy forces.
During the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, India and China held their first bilateral talks in five years, marking a significant step towards mending their strained relations. The disengagement is seen as a move towards restoring the pre-2020 status quo-ante. Both nations emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and tranquillity at the border, with mutual trust and respect as the foundation of their relationship.
Prime Minister Modi stressed that restoring peace in the border areas is crucial for normalizing bilateral relations.
Doubts Revealed
Demchok and Depsang Plains -: Demchok and Depsang Plains are areas near the Line of Actual Control (LAC), which is the border between India and China. These areas have been points of tension between the two countries.
LAC -: LAC stands for Line of Actual Control. It is the border that separates Indian-controlled territory from Chinese-controlled territory in the region.
S Jaishankar -: S Jaishankar is the External Affairs Minister of India. He is responsible for managing India’s foreign relations and diplomacy.
BRICS Summit -: BRICS is a group of five major emerging economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. The BRICS Summit is a meeting where leaders from these countries discuss various global and regional issues.
Brisbane -: Brisbane is a city in Australia. It is mentioned here because S Jaishankar was speaking there when he made the announcement about India and China.
