Jaishankar in Lok Sabha: Situation normal on LAC, bilateral talks to continue with China

New Delhi|On China issue in Lok Sabha, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that the situation on LAC is normal. Bilateral talks with China continue. Trying to restore peace along LAC. Both countries committed to ending border dispute. The situation on the border has improved due to diplomatic initiatives

Foreign Minister in Lok Sabha Dr. S Jaishankar said, “The House is well aware of the circumstances of the violent clashes in Galwan Valley in June 2020”. In the months that followed, we were addressing a situation in which there had been not only deaths for the first time, but many others. This was the first time in 45 years, but the development was also so serious that heavy weapons had to be deployed close to the LAC. While the Government’s immediate response was the firm counter-deployment of sufficient capacity, it also required a diplomatic effort. To reduce these increased tensions and restore peace and harmony. The contemporary phase of our relations with China dates back to 1988 when there was a clear understanding that the China-India border question would be settled through peaceful and friendly consultations. In 1991, both sides agreed to maintain peace and harmony in the areas along the LAC until the final resolution of the border dispute. This was followed in 1993 by an agreement on the maintenance of peace and harmony.

Subsequently, in 1996 India and China agreed on confidence-building measures in the military field. In 2003, we finalized our relationship and the Declaration of Principles for Comprehensive Cooperation, including the appointment of special representatives. In 2005, a protocol was drawn up.

Modalities for implementation of confidence building measures on LAC were discussed. At the same time, agreement was reached on political parameters and guiding principles for the resolution of the border dispute. In 2012, WMCC, a working mechanism for consultation and coordination, was established and a year later we also reached an agreement on border defense cooperation. My purpose in recalling these agreements is to underscore the detailed nature of our common efforts to ensure peace and harmony and to stress the seriousness of the implications of its unprecedented disruption in 2020.