New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar told Parliament today that following the October 21 agreement with China, “disengagement has now been achieved in full in Eastern Ladakh through a step by step process, culminating in Depsang and Demchok”.
In a statement in the Lok Sabha, the EAM said that “with the task of disengagement completed, it is now our expectation that discussions would commence in regard to the remaining issues that we had placed on the agenda”, which includes de-escalation.
On the government’s expectation regarding the direction of ties with China in the near future, he said: ”Our relationship had progressed in many domains, but was obviously negatively affected by recent events. We are clear that the maintenance of peace and tranquility in border areas is a pre-requisite for the development of our ties.
“In the coming days, we will be discussing both de-escalation as well as effective management of our activities in the border areas.”
He said the conclusion of the disengagement phase allows India to consider other aspects of the bilateral engagement in a calibrated manner, keeping national security interests first and foremost.
“In my recent meeting with FM Wang Yi, we reached an understanding that the Special Representatives and the Foreign Secretary level mechanisms will be convening soon,” referring to his meeting with the Chinese FM on the sidelines of the G20.
Referring to the October 21 agreement, he said “our objective has been to ensure patrolling as in the past to the relevant patrolling points, as well as resumption of grazing by our civilians as per longstanding practice. This is indeed what we have agreed upon in regard to Depsang and Demchok.”
“The problem in these two areas pertained primarily to obstructions of our long-standing patrolling activity. In Demchok, there was also the question of access by our nomadic population to traditional
grazing grounds, as well as to sites of significance to the local people.”
He said that following the October 21 agreement, “resumption of patrolling to the traditional areas is underway. It was initially tested by sending out patrols for verification of disengagement on the ground and is being followed up by regular activities as per the agreed understanding.”
Referring to the bilateral meeting between PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping on October 23 in Kazan, he said that both leaders welcomed the understanding and directed the Foreign Ministers to meet and stabilize and rebuild the relationship. The Special Representatives are also to oversee the management of peace and tranquility besides exploring a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution to the boundary question.
The EAM pointed out that the Modi government has undertaken significant improvement in the border infrastructure, with increase of border infrastructure allocations. These include the Atal Tunnel to Lahaul Spiti, the Sela and Nechiphu Tunnels to Tawang, the Umlingla Pass road in Southern Ladakh and the extended opening of the Zojila Axis.
“Work is progressing on some strategically important roads and air fields in Ladakh. The adoption of new technologies in high altitude, remote, inaccessible and permafrost areas has also been significant. All of this reflects the Government’s firm commitment to protecting our borders and ensuring that our armed forces get the facilities and the logistical support that they deserve,” he said.
UNI
