Events of this year along LAC ‘very disturbing’, says EAM S Jaishankar on border standoff with China

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Saturday called the events of this year regarding the border standoff with China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh “very disturbing”, adding that “they have raised some very basic concerns”. 

His comments came a day after India blamed China for the border standoff, with Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Anurag Thakur saying that the situation was a result of Chinese action and that Beijing sought to bring about a “unilateral change” in the status along the LAC. 

Addressing an interactive session at the FICCI’s annual general meeting, Jaishankar said that the standoff is “not actually in interest of China as it significantly impacted public sentiment (in India)”, PTI reported.

“I do not believe that the events of this year have helped at all. In fact, I think real danger is goodwill so carefully developed will dissipate,” he said.

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The EAM further stated that the border standoff was a “test” for India and that he has “every confidence we will rise to occasion and meet the national security challenge”. 

“But I also would say that, yes, we are being tested. I have every confidence that we will rise to the occasion; we will meet that national security challenge. But beyond that, at this time, I would really frankly keep my own counsel,” Jaishankar said.

In reply to question about whether he expects a breakthrough anytime soon in the standoff, Jaishankar said he will not get into “prediction zone”. 

Srivastava’s comments on Friday came in reply to the Chinese foreign saying that it has been “strictly observing” bilateral agreements and that it is committed to resolving the issue through dialogue. 

The armies of India and China are locked in a tense border standoff in eastern Ladakh since early May. Both sides have held multiple rounds of military and diplomatic talks. However, no breakthrough has been achieved yet.