India Promotes Disengagement on India-China Border Dispute

July 12, 2020 (EIRNS)—As reported in the Indian Express, External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, speaking at the India Global Week virtual conference on July 11, said that India and China have agreed on the need to disengage along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), and also agreed to a process of de-escalation, after talks involving the Indian and Chinese Military Corps Commanders. Jaishankar kept his remarks brief, and noted that the process is still very much a “work in progress.” Troops on both sides have retreated from most points of friction.

That same day, Indian sources reported that Chinese troops have vacated the base at Finger 4 in Pangong Tso, and have also thinned out their troops. However, the north bank of Pangong Tso is an area of concern for India, because Chinese troops have come within 8 km west of Finger 8, which India says marks the LAC. An unnamed Indian Army officer emphasized that both sides have mutually agreed not to patrol the disengagement points for the time being, and that trust on both sides continues to be fragile.

The Corps Commanders will meet again next week, and the standoff at Pangong Tso is anticipated to be the main talking point.