Disengagement in Depsang, Demchok first step, de-escalation next: Jaishankar on China
The next step is de-escalation, which will not happen until India is sure the same is happening on the other side as well, Jaishankar said, obviously referring to China
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday said the disengagement of troops at Depsang and Demchok in Ladakh is the first step, and expected that the next step will be de-escalation.
The EAM said he hoped India will return to the 2020 patrolling status next.
The next step is de-escalation, which will not happen until India is sure that the same is happening on the other side as well, the EAM said, obviously referring to China.
Also read: Jaishankar hails military and democracy for India-China LAC patrolling agreement
Earlier this week, India announced it had reached an agreement with China on patrolling along the LAC in eastern Ladakh, a major breakthrough in ending the over four-year-long military standoff.
Addressing a press conference in Mumbai, Jaishankar said consensus has been achieved on patrolling and disengagement in Depsang and Demchok.
"It is obvious it will take time to implement the same. This is the issue of disengagement and patrolling which meant our armies had come very close to each other and now they have gone back to their bases. We hope the 2020 status is restored," he said.
Also watch: India, China agree on border patrolling; can they also de-escalate tensions? | Capital Beat
The completion of disengagement is the first step. The next step is de-escalation which will not happen until India is sure that the same is happening on the other side as well, the External Affairs Minister said.
"After de-escalation, how to manage the borders will be discussed," he added.
(With inputs from agencies)
