NEW DELHI: India on Thursday announced its intention to strengthen ties with China, moving beyond the recent disengagement along the disputed border in Ladakh. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh emphasized New Delhi’s commitment to advancing relations with its long-time rival, China, but noted the need for patience, stating that further developments would require more time.
According to Anadolu Agency, Singh made these remarks during the virtual inauguration of the “Museum of Valour” in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh, a district adjacent to China. His comments followed an agreement reached between Beijing and New Delhi concerning patrolling arrangements along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Singh attributed the successful signing of the disengagement agreement to the discipline and valor exhibited by Indian forces along the border with China.
China’s Defense Ministry spokesperson, Zhang Xiaogang, confirmed on Thursday that both nations have resolved issues related to the border areas through diplomatic and militar
y channels. Zhang noted that the frontline troops of both militaries are making orderly progress in implementing the resolutions, as stated in a post on X.
The 3,500-kilometer (2,174-mile) LAC, which serves as the de facto border between India and China in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir, has been a point of contention since May 2020. The tensions escalated into the ‘Galwan clashes’ that year, resulting in the deaths of at least 24 soldiers, including 20 from India.