Restoring normalcy in the border

Why in news?

Last week after the disengagement talks with china, India asserted that peace across the border needs to be prevailed.

How serious was the standoff earlier?

• In Early May, China brought about 10,000 soldiers in full military preparation mode across the Ladakh (LAC).
• At least 20 Indian soldiers were killed during a violent clash with Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley.
• External Affairs Minister acknowledged that relationship between countries is profoundly disturbed in comparison to the last 30 to 40 years.

How has China responded?

• China has again blamed India for the current crisis & said India is totally responsible for the standoff.

• It also said that china has strictly abided the border agreements.
• But this is in contrast with unprecedented mobilisation of Chinese troops to various points across the LAC since early May.

How has India responded?

• The Ministry of External Affairs asked China to match its words with actions.
• External Affairs Minister said that full disengagement will not take place very soon.
• He also cited the Sumdorong Chu crisis of 1986 that took nine years to resolve.

What is the road ahead?

• Other aspects of the relationship with China—from trade to growing links in fields like investment & education –rests upon Peace in the border.

• There is no road map yet to a return to the status quo across the border.
• The slow-moving talks on the LAC also raise the questions about the China’s willingness to restore the status quo.
• India must insist that china needs to abide by the past agreements.

• The government should be far more forthcoming than it has been earlier on the LAC.
• Public needs to be fully aware about the border situation and the state of the relationship with China.
• Transparency should take precedence over political expediency.

Source: The Hindu