NEW DELHI: as an Indian and Chinese troops keep keeping your mountain vigil, India has repeatedly pointed out to China in recent days that the minimum requirement for stable relations is a peaceful frontier.
Speaking to former Indian Ambassador to China Gautam Bambawale at an online event, Foreign Minister S Jaishankar He said: “It is not our position that we should resolve the question of limits. We understand that it is a very complicated and difficult subject. There have been many negotiations at different levels … That is a very high bar for a relationship … I am talking about a much more basic bar which is that there must be peace and tranquility throughout LAC in the border areas and that been the case since the late 1980s. ”
The minister’s remarks come even as the two sides remain entrenched in their respective positions on the eastern heights of Ladakh. “Now if the peace and quiet is deeply disturbed, then obviously there will be an impact on the relationship and that is what we are seeing,” said Jaishankar.
As both sides work on disconnection protocols In the midst of a huge trust deficit, there are two views within the Indian national security system. One set of views is that there may be a modest disconnect in November, with the Chinese side returning to the heights next spring. The second believes that China will continue to pressure India on LAC because China wants to change the position of land.
But both views agree on one thing: the LAC in eastern Ladakh will now forever be manned by Indian troops, making it another Siachen-like situation. At least until a border agreement is reached.
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