S. Jaishankar Highlights India-China Progress In Lok Sabha, De-Escalation Is The Next Priority

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar addressed the Lok Sabha, shedding light on recent developments in India-China relations. Highlighting progress in the ongoing border row, he announced that full disengagement has been achieved in eastern Ladakh. Jaishankar emphasized the need for continued de-escalation, identifying it as India’s next priority. The EAM underlined that ties between the two nations had been abnormal since 2020 due to disturbances along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) caused by Chinese actions. He reiterated India’s commitment to resolving boundary issues through diplomatic dialogue while acknowledging the challenges posed by China's occupation of 38,000 square kilometers in Aksai Chin and the 1963 ceding of 5,180 square kilometers of Indian territory by Pakistan to China. Jaishankar commended India’s armed forces for their swift and effective counter-deployment during the 2020 standoff despite logistical challenges and the Covid-19 crisis. He reaffirmed India's commitment to peace and tranquillity while highlighting continuous diplomatic engagements that have set Indo-China ties on a path to improvement.