India-China ties: EAM Jaishankar says Ladakh disengagement could lead to ‘other steps’

Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Sunday (Nov. 3) that the recent de-escalation between India and China in eastern Ladakh may pave the way for “other steps” in their relationship.

Speaking to the Indian community in Australia, Jaishankar shared that India and China had achieved some progress in easing tensions in their bilateral ties. Jaishankar is on a five-day visit to Australia, from November 3 to November 7.

“In terms of India and China, we have made some progress. You know, our relations were very, very disturbed for reasons all of you know. We have made some progress in what we call disengagement,” he said. Jaishankar added that India would need to evaluate the course it would take following the disengagement.

“There are very large numbers of Chinese troops deployed along the Line of Actual Control who were not there before 2020 and we, in turn, have counter-deployed. There are other aspects of the relationship which also affected during this period. So clearly, we have to see after the disengagement, what is the direction we go. But we do think the disengagement is a welcome step. It opens up the possibility that you know, other steps could happen,” he added.

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Jaishankar said that after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Russia last month, expectations were that “both the national security advisor and myself would meet our counterpart. So that's really where things are."

Indian EAM's comments come just days after Indian and Chinese troops completed disengagement at two tense areas in eastern Ladakh: Demchok and the Depsang Plains. Following a verification process, the Indian Army has recommenced patrols at two points of contention along the border.

The stand-off between India and China arose due to China's aggressive actions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Indian officials have repeatedly stressed that relations between the two countries can only be restored to normal once the situation along the LAC reverts to the conditions that existed before May 2020.

(With inputs from agencies)