North News
New Delhi, November 19
External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar held talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, focusing on recent progress in border disengagement and future steps in bilateral relations. “We noted the progress in the recent disengagement in the India-China border areas and exchanged views on the next steps in our bilateral ties. Also discussed the global situation,” Jaishankar wrote on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. The meeting marked another step in easing tensions between the two nations following prolonged stand-offs in the border areas. Discussions also included broader global issues of mutual concern, officials said.
The disengagement between the Indian and Chinese armies in the Depsang Plains and Demchok regions of eastern Ladakh has been successfully completed, with verification by officials from both countries, according to official sources. This process involved the withdrawal of troops and the dismantling of military infrastructure on both sides.
During a recent meeting at the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace along the India-China border while fostering mutual trust. They welcomed the agreement to fully disengage troops and resolve the 2020 border standoff, agreeing that disputes must be handled carefully to prevent further tensions. Special Representatives on the boundary issue are set to meet soon to monitor the situation and seek a fair resolution.
Both leaders emphasized that stable India-China relations are vital for regional and global peace and called for enhanced strategic communication to tackle common developmental challenges. Earlier, External Affairs Minister credited the success of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) patrolling agreement to a combination of military resilience and diplomatic efforts. Speaking to students in Pune, Jaishankar acknowledged that while progress has been made, it remains “a little early” for full normalization of relations with China. He stressed that rebuilding trust will take time, attributing current successes to India’s steadfast resolve in defending its borders amid challenging conditions.
