External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday acknowledged the significant progress in India's relations with China, particularly regarding a breakthrough agreement on patrolling along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). During a discussion with students in Pune, he praised the Indian military for their exceptional efforts in navigating ‘very very unimaginable’ conditions, highlighting the role of skilful diplomacy in achieving this milestone.

Jaishankar also noted that while this agreement marks a positive step forward, it remains premature to expect a full normalisation of relations, as rebuilding trust and fostering a cooperative spirit will take time.

“If we have reached where we are today, there are two reasons for it. The first is a very determined effort on our part to stand our ground and make our point and this would only happen because the military was there in very, very unimaginable conditions to defend the country. The military did its part and diplomacy did its part,” said Jaishankar. 

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Jaishankar stated that India has increased its annual military resources fivefold compared to a decade ago, which is yielding positive results and allowing for effective military deployment. He attributed the current situation to this combination of enhanced resources and strategic factors.

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Jaishankar also mentioned that during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with President Xi Jinping at the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, it was agreed that the foreign ministers and National Security Advisors of India and China would convene to discuss the way forward in their bilateral relations.

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India recently announced a significant agreement with China on patrolling along the LAC in eastern Ladakh, marking a breakthrough in the four-year military standoff that has strained bilateral relations.

Since September 2020, India has been negotiating with China to address various aspects of the situation, including the urgent need for disengagement due to the proximity of troops and the risks involved, as well as the necessity for de-escalation amid troop buildups on both sides.