LAC disengagement done, de-escalation next: Centre

India said on Tuesday it is committed to engaging China to find a fair and mutually acceptable framework for settling the boundary issue, but made it clear that the Line of Actual Control (LAC) must be strictly respected and the status quo in the border areas must not be unilaterally altered.

- Rezaul H Laskar

External affairs minister S Jaishankar, who made a statement in Lok Sabha on relations with China in the wake of an understanding in October to resolve the military standoff in Ladakh sector, said that disengagement at friction points was "fully achieved", and the next step would be "de-escalation" and "effective management of activities" along the LAC.

Peace and tranquillity on the border is a prerequisite for developing bilateral ties, he emphasised.

The statement, which dwelt at length on the circumstances that triggered the face-off between Indian and Chinese troops in Ladakh sector in April-May 2020 and the history of the border conflict, was the first comprehensive outlining of the Indian government's position since the two sides reached the agreement on October 21 to address the two remaining friction points at Demchok and Depsang.

"While there is a Line of Actual Control, it does not have a common understanding in some areas. We remain committed to engaging with China through bilateral discussions to arrive at a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable framework for a boundary settlement," Jaishankar said.

He listed three key principles to be observed in all circumstances both sides should strictly respect and observe the LAC, neither side should attempt to unilaterally alter the status quo, and agreements and understandings reached in the past must be fully abided by in their entirety.