Broad Consensus Reached with China on Ladakh LAC Disengagement: Rajnath Singh
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday confirmed that India and China have reached a broad consensus to restore the ground situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh.
His remarks came three days after India announced an agreement with China on disengagement in the region, following a series of diplomatic and military-level talks aimed at resolving the ongoing standoff.
Speaking at the Chanakya Defence Dialogue, an event organized by the Indian Army and the Centre for Land Warfare Studies, Singh highlighted the power of continuous dialogue in achieving this resolution. “India and China have been involved in talks both at diplomatic and military levels to resolve their differences in certain areas along the LAC. Pursuant to the talks, broad consensus has been achieved to restore ground situation based on the principles of equal and mutual security,” he stated.
Agreement on Patrolling and Grazing Rights
Singh also emphasized that the agreement includes arrangements for patrolling and grazing rights to traditional areas along the LAC. This, he said, is a testament to the effectiveness of diplomatic dialogue in resolving complex issues. “The power of engaging in continuous dialogue is clear, as sooner or later, solutions emerge,” Singh noted.
The agreement comes after over four years of military standoff between India and China, which began with Chinese incursions in Eastern Ladakh in April 2020. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri earlier announced the breakthrough, confirming that both nations had agreed on new patrolling arrangements along the LAC, leading to disengagement and resolution of the longstanding issues.
