Indien weist Chinas stillschweigenden Anstoß zurück, in Depsang eine neue Normalität zu akzeptieren, weist Demchok auf die LAC hin

Submission Statement:

Even as Beijing on Thursday once again tacitly nudged New Delhi to accept the new normal along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, India insisted that peace along its disputed boundary with China was essential for bringing the bilateral relations back on track.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had a bilateral meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Vientiane. It was the second meeting between the two this month. They had a bilateral meeting on the sideline of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s summit in Astana early this month.

the talks between Jaishankar and Wang on Thursday focussed on finding “an early resolution of the remaining issues” along the LAC to stabilize and rebuild bilateral relations, according to the Ministry of External Affairs

Both sides should take responsibility for history, the people, and the world, and rationally transcend contradictions, differences, and frictions to promote the improvement and stable and sustainable development of China-India relations,” Wang was quoted telling Jaishankar

“The state of the border will necessarily be reflected in the state of our ties,” Jaishankar posted on X after holding talks with Wang on the sideline of a conclave of the foreign ministers of the East Asia Summit (EAS) nations. Agreed on the need to give strong guidance to complete the disengagement process (along the LAC in eastern Ladakh). Must ensure full respect for the LAC and past agreements.”

The PLA troops deployed in Depsang, well inside the territory of India along the LAC with China, are continuing to block the Indian Army’s access to Patrolling Points 10, 11, 12, 12A, and 13. A face-off is also continuing in Demchok. Beijing, however, has been claiming that the mutual withdrawal of troops by the Chinese PLA and the Indian Army from Patrolling Point 15 (Gogra-Hotsprings area) in September 2022 marked the restoration of normalcy along the LAC in eastern Ladakh. China’s claim appears to be an attempt to subtly build up pressure on India to accept the “new normal” in the Depsang and Demchok areas.