New Delhi: Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said on Thursday Separation Efforts along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Eastern Ladakh are close to completion but efforts are being made to 'move beyond just separation' and build a stable foundation for long-term peace with China.
Singh highlighted that recent talks with China at both diplomatic and military levels have fostered a mutual consensus to restore the status quo on the LAC.
“After recent talks, a broad consensus has been reached to restore the land situation. This consensus has been developed on the basis of equality and mutual security. The agreement includes patrolling and grazing rights in traditional areas. Based on this consensus, the process is almost complete, we will try to move ahead with the separation, but we will have to wait a little bit for that,” Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said. said
Rajnath's remarks follow the recent bilateral agreement between India and China, which focuses on patrolling arrangements along the disputed LAC areas. Since 2020, when the border standoff in eastern Ladakh was first escalated by Chinese military exercises, the two countries have experienced prolonged tensions, putting their relations under severe strain.
Rajnath Singh also paid tribute to India's first Home Minister, Sardar Vallabhbhai PatelOn his birth anniversary, acknowledging Patel's important role in uniting the nation, “There are many names who don't get a proper place in our history but that doesn't mean their sacrifices are small. It's our duty. May we remember them. Give sacrifices and honor them. I pay tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the first Union Home Minister of India and the mastermind behind the unity of the country.
He later unveiled a statue of Patel, honoring his contribution to India's independence and unity.
“Whenever India is mentioned globally, 'unity in diversity' resonates. Our country is home to countless languages, cultures and religions, yet the unity we witness is remarkable,” he said. It added that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, there has been unprecedented focus on economic, social and infrastructural development in India's Northeast.
Recent months have seen a renewed effort by both India and China to ease tensions. Prime Minister Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a formal meeting on the sidelines of an international summit, their first structured interaction in five years.
The leaders reaffirmed the importance of maintaining a stable relationship, citing benefits for Indian and Chinese citizens as well as regional and global peace.