Pune: The breakthrough in the recent agreement with China regarding the Line of Actual Control (LAC) was possible because of the military's efforts and effective diplomacy, external affairs minister S Jaishankar said in the city on Saturday.
Jaishankar said peace and tranquillity were disturbed on the India-China border in 2020 following a violent clash between the two forces in Galwan Valley.
"We stood our ground firmly and made a point. The military operated in very unimaginable conditions, and diplomacy also did its part to achieve the breakthrough in the situation," he said.
The former foreign secretary, answering a question from the audience on the border patrolling agreement between India and China, said, "In the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping during the Brics summit in Russia, it was decided that foreign ministers and national security advisors of both countries would meet and discuss on how to take steps forward."
Jaishankar's remarks came against the backdrop of the announcement of disengagement at the LAC between Indian and Chinese forces in eastern Ladakh.
"Normally we keep our distance on the border. After the 2020 incident, however, forces came quite close to each other (at LAC). Top priority was given to resolving the situation," the Union minister, recalling the tension before the disengagement, said.
He said theCentre is emphasising securing borders. "Keeping the primary focus on securing borders, the budget for deploying troops along the China border has been increased nearly fivefold. Necessary infrastructure is being provided even in remote areas close to the border to maintain the presence of the forces even in challenging conditions. There has been a coordinated approach to secure our borders," he said.
Pune: The breakthrough in the recent agreement with China regarding the Line of Actual Control (LAC) was possible because of the military's efforts and effective diplomacy, external affairs minister S Jaishankar said in the city on Saturday.
Jaishankar said peace and tranquillity were disturbed on the India-China border in 2020 following a violent clash between the two forces in Galwan Valley.
"We stood our ground firmly and made a point. The military operated in very unimaginable conditions, and diplomacy also did its part to achieve the breakthrough in the situation," he said.
The former foreign secretary, answering a question from the audience on the border patrolling agreement between India and China, said, "In the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping during the Brics summit in Russia, it was decided that foreign ministers and national security advisors of both countries would meet and discuss on how to take steps forward."
Jaishankar's remarks came against the backdrop of the announcement of disengagement at the LAC between Indian and Chinese forces in eastern Ladakh.
"Normally we keep our distance on the border. After the 2020 incident, however, forces came quite close to each other (at LAC). Top priority was given to resolving the situation," the Union minister, recalling the tension before the disengagement, said.
He said theCentre is emphasising securing borders. "Keeping the primary focus on securing borders, the budget for deploying troops along the China border has been increased nearly fivefold. Necessary infrastructure is being provided even in remote areas close to the border to maintain the presence of the forces even in challenging conditions. There has been a coordinated approach to secure our borders," he said.