'Other steps could happen': EAM Jaishankar on India-China ties after LAC disengagement

NEW DELHI: External affairs minister S Jaishankar said Sunday that India and China have made “some progress” in disengaging along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), calling it a “welcome” move that could lead to further positive steps in the relationship. His remarks come after Indian and Chinese troops recently completed disengagement at two major friction points—Demchok and Depsang Plains—in eastern Ladakh.

The minister said that following a recent meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Russia, plans were set for further discussions involving India’s national security advisor and the foreign ministry . “So that’s where things are,” he noted, adding that the disengagement “opens up the possibility that other steps could happen.”

“In terms of India and China, yes, we have made some progress,” Jaishankar said during an interaction with the Indian diaspora in Brisbane. “Our relations were very, very disturbed for reasons all of you know. We have made some progress in what we call disengagement, which is when troops were very close to each other, with the possibility that could lead to some untoward incident.”

The disengagement process, which saw Indian forces beginning verification patrolling at Depsang and Demchok on Friday, is seen as a significant step towards resolving lingering border issues from the 2020 standoff. The LAC had seen large deployments of Chinese troops, a move countered by India, and this increase in forces on both sides contributed to heightened tensions.

“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,” Jaishankar added.

This new agreement on patrolling and disengagement was formalised after several rounds of talks, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri had earlier said, marking a potential breakthrough to end the four-year standoff along the LAC. The Galwan Valley clash in June 2020 had deeply strained relations between the two countries, making disengagement and talks essential steps in normalising ties.

Jaishankar, in Brisbane on the first leg of a two-nation tour, also addressed global issues, including conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, expressing concern over their impact on global stability. Highlighting India’s role in promoting diplomacy, he said Prime Minister Modi had been actively involved in discussions with leaders of Russia and Ukraine. “We are trying to do something in both,” Jaishankar stated, emphasising India’s commitment to a diplomatic resolution in both regions.

On the Middle East, he said that India is attempting to prevent further escalation of tensions, pointing out the challenges in mediating between Iran and Israel due to a lack of direct communication. “At the moment, the effort is more to prevent the conflict from spreading,” he said, hinting at India’s involvement without divulging specific details.

Touching upon the Quad alliance , Jaishankar explained that the grouping of India, Australia, Japan, and the United States is focused on a broad agenda that includes maritime security, connectivity, and climate forecasting, among other areas. “You have four democracies, four market economies, four countries with a strong record of global contributions,” he said, underscoring the Quad’s broader purpose.

During his Australian visit, Jaishankar will inaugurate India’s fourth consulate in the country and co-chair the 15th Foreign Ministers' Framework Dialogue with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong in Canberra.