India-China Breakthrough on LAC Standoff

India and China have reached a significant breakthrough in their four-year-long military standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh, agreeing to disengage troops at key flashpoints like Depsang and Demchok. Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar emphasized that de-escalation will only proceed once India is assured of reciprocal actions by China, addressing domestic pressures and highlighting a lack of mutual trust. Despite the recent progress, India remains concerned about China's non-military activities to assert territorial claims, which will likely be discussed in upcoming meetings between India's National Security Advisor and China's Foreign Minister. The agreement marks a pivotal step towards restoring normalcy and stability in bilateral relations, which had been severely strained since the deadly Galwan Valley clash in 2020. Both nations have expressed a commitment to resolving differences through peaceful negotiation, reflecting a shared understanding of the need for stability and cooperation. However, Chinese analysts caution against placing unilateral blame on China, suggesting that genuine efforts from both sides are essential for improving relations.