SCO Summit 2024: Respect for LAC Key, India Reminds China

Historical Context: The Line of Actual Control (LAC) is the de facto border between India and China, established after the 1962 Sino-Indian War. The border has been a point of contention, leading to several standoffs, including the deadly clash in Galwan Valley in June 2020, which resulted in the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers and at least four Chinese troops. The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is a Eurasian political, economic, and security alliance, which includes both India and China as members.

Article: India and China should intensify efforts for the “complete disengagement” of troops and the restoration of peace and tranquillity along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) to normalize bilateral relations, stated Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar during a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi. This meeting took place on the sidelines of the annual Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Astana, Kazakhstan.

Jaishankar emphasized India’s stance on resolving the border issue, which includes respecting the LAC and adhering to the principles of “mutual respect, mutual sensitivity, and mutual interest.” He reiterated that these principles would continue to guide India-China relations.

“Discussed early resolution of remaining issues in border areas. Agreed to redouble efforts through diplomatic and military channels to that end,” Jaishankar posted on social media platform X after the meeting. This was the first meeting between Jaishankar and Wang in almost a year, although they had a brief encounter at the Munich Security Conference in Germany in February.

A statement from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs highlighted that prolonging the current situation in the border areas is not beneficial for either side. Jaishankar stressed the need for complete disengagement in Eastern Ladakh to restore peace and remove obstacles to normalizing bilateral relations.

Both ministers agreed to continue and intensify meetings of diplomatic and military officials to resolve the remaining issues promptly. They also agreed that the Working Mechanism on Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) should convene an early meeting.

Jaishankar reiterated the importance of fully abiding by bilateral agreements, protocols, and understandings reached in the past, emphasizing that the LAC must be respected and peace maintained in the border areas.

The meeting also covered the global situation, with Jaishankar extending India’s support for China’s presidency of the SCO in 2025. There was no immediate response from the Chinese side regarding the meeting, which occurred amidst ongoing tensions over the military standoff on the LAC, now in its fifth year.

Jaishankar has consistently maintained that normalizing relations with China is contingent on peace and tranquillity at the border. He has accused China of violating border management agreements and amassing troops along the LAC. Conversely, Wang has suggested that the LAC standoff should not define the overall relationship between the two countries.

China has recently lobbied for the resumption of direct flights to India and the easing of visa restrictions for Chinese nationals, particularly technical personnel. However, India has linked these issues to the situation in the Ladakh sector, where both sides have deployed around 50,000 troops each.

Despite numerous rounds of diplomatic and military talks, India and China have yet to resolve “friction points” such as Depsang and Demchok. The Galwan Valley clash in June 2020 significantly deteriorated bilateral ties, and India remains concerned about China’s activities in the region, including the deployment of surveillance vessels and efforts to access ports and key facilities in neighboring countries.

Summary:

• Historical Context: The LAC is the de facto border established post the 1962 Sino-Indian War, with recent tensions peaking after the 2020 Galwan Valley clash.
• Meeting Venue: S. Jaishankar and Wang Yi met on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Astana, Kazakhstan.
• Key Points Discussed:
  • Complete disengagement of troops along the LAC.
  • Restoration of peace and tranquillity in border areas.
  • Adherence to principles of mutual respect, sensitivity, and interest.
  • Importance of abiding by past bilateral agreements.
• Agreements:
  • Intensify diplomatic and military efforts to resolve border issues.
  • Convene an early meeting of the WMCC.
• Global Context: India extended support for China’s SCO presidency in 2025.
• Current Situation: Ongoing military standoff on the LAC, with both sides deploying around 50,000 troops each.
• Unresolved Issues: Friction points like Depsang and Demchok remain unresolved despite numerous talks.
• India’s Stance: Normalization of relations contingent on border peace.
• China’s Position: LAC standoff should not define overall bilateral relations.