External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar (file photo)
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday said the withdrawal of troops from the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh has been completed. The focus now should be on easing tensions between the two countries. He made the remarks at the HT Leadership Summit. Jaishankar viewed the withdrawal as a mere retreat and refused to accept it as a sign of a return to the old form of bilateral relations. He said it was reasonable to expect improvements in relations between the two countries after the troop withdrawal.
Last month, India and China reached an agreement to withdraw troops from Demchok and Depsang areas. Both sides also resumed patrols after a dispute that lasted more than four years. Jaishankar said that with the two countries reaching a final agreement on October 21, this process has also been completed. He further said that reducing tensions along the Line of Actual Control now should be the next important step.
What did Jaishankar say on the India-China issue?
Regarding India-China relations, Jaishankar said that the relationship between the two countries depends on many factors. In response to reporters’ questions, he said that different departments of the government may have different views on China, but the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has formulated a policy to balance all views. However, he also said it would be inappropriate to view any view as a policy decision.
Not only that, Jaishankar also discussed India-US relations. He said projects like the Indo-US Initiative related to important and emerging technologies were unlikely to be affected by the new US administration. He said that as the world’s most powerful country, the United States must stay connected at the global level. However, his preferences and conditions may change.
“The path to dialogue is the only permanent solution to the Russian-Ukrainian war”
Jaishankar clarified India’s position on the Russia-Ukraine conflict. He said that the solution cannot be found on the battlefield and India is striving for cordial talks between the two sides. He also said that India aims to bring the two countries into dialogue on the same platform as only the path of dialogue can bring about permanent solutions.
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