In a recent statement, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar addressed the ongoing situation regarding India-China relations, and said that the two countries were back to the pre-2020 situation. He emphasised that India is aiming for a “complete” disengagement with China, particularly in light of the military standoffs that have characterized the border tensions over the past few years.

Jaishankar noted that while there have been significant strides made toward de-escalation, the situation remains complex. He reflected on the border issues that flared up in 2020, which saw increased military presence from both nations in the Ladakh region. The minister pointed out that efforts have been ongoing to resolve these tensions through diplomatic channels and military talks.

Highlighting the importance of maintaining peace along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), Jaishankar reaffirmed India’s commitment to restoring the status quo that existed before the conflicts escalated. He mentioned that the two sides have now come to an understanding for patrolling.

“What the Foreign Secretary has said is what I can also say, that we reached an agreement on patrolling and with that we have gone back to where the situation was in 2020. We can say that the disengagement process with China has been completed…There are areas which for various reasons after 2020… because they had blocked us so we had blocked them. So what has happened is we have reached an understanding which will allow the patrolling (sic),” he was reported as saying.