"India-China Relations Showing Signs of Improvement": S Jaishankar in Lok Sabha

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Tuesday informed that India-China relations have shown signs of improvement, during his speech in the Lok Sabha. This comes after a period of strained ties following a military clash in eastern Ladakh in April 2020, which resulted in casualties on both sides. Jaishankar described the relationship as "abnormal" since that time but noted that continuous diplomatic efforts had helped move the situation toward improvement.

Jaishankar reaffirmed India’s commitment to resolving the border issue through bilateral talks, seeking a "fair, reasonable, and mutually acceptable settlement." He emphasized that recent military and diplomatic discussions have played a crucial role in addressing border concerns, including the October patrolling agreement that ensures better management of the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

He further explained that tensions in the border areas, triggered by Chinese actions, disrupted peace and stability, leading to strained relations. “It is to the credit of our forces that despite logistical challenges and the Covid-19 pandemic, they countered Chinese troops rapidly,” Jaishankar said, highlighting India’s swift and effective response to the situation.

According to the External Affairs Minister, the disengagement phase has now been completed, enabling a focus on other aspects of India-China relations. He also stressed the importance of managing border areas more effectively, citing recent experiences as a key factor in refining future engagements.

In addition, Jaishankar outlined that de-escalation would be the next priority, particularly addressing the large troop build-up along the LAC. "The immediate priority was to ensure disengagement from friction points, and this has been fully achieved," he stated, referring to the successful reduction of tensions in areas like Depsang and Demchok.

During his recent meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Jaishankar noted that both sides had agreed to convene a meeting of special representatives and foreign secretaries soon. This initiative is part of India’s broader strategy to engage with China diplomatically and ensure peace along the border.

The minister's remarks came just two weeks after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held talks with his Chinese counterpart, General Li Shangfu, marking the first ministerial-level meeting since the disengagement in Ladakh. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit in Laos in late November.​