The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has clarified that there is no contradiction between its stance and the remarks made by Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi regarding the ongoing situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China. During a media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasized that both the Army and the MEA are aligned in their positions on this matter.
“We do not see any contradiction between what the Army Chief has said and the position we have taken,” Jaiswal added, reaffirming that both organizations have a similar perspective on the situation along the LAC.
General Dwivedi has stated that there is still a “degree” of standoff between Chinese and Indian forces, emphasizing the necessity for both parties to develop a more comprehensive understanding in order to reduce tensions and rebuild confidence.
The spokesperson mentioned a deal that was made on October 21, 2024, that made it easier for troops to retire at two locations of contention: Demchok and Depsang. In accordance with previous agreements, Jaiswal reaffirmed that India’s objective is still to guarantee patrolling rights and the return of grazing practices in accordance with long-standing customs.
The idea that military and diplomatic channels are cooperating is further supported by the MEA’s observation that S. Jaishankar, the external affairs minister, has previously declared that tackling de-escalation in the Ladakh area remains a priority.
This clarification, which aims to reassure stakeholders of a cohesive approach in managing relations with China, comes in response to worries over apparent disparities between military assessments and diplomatic comments.
