De-escalation process at LAC must go forward, Jaishankar tells Wang , Pg1

Key Highlights:

• EAM Jaishankar urged Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to advance troop withdrawal from the Line of Actual Control (LAC) during discussions in Delhi.
• Discussions aimed to improve bilateral and trade relations between India and China.
• Preparations were made for PM Modi’s visit to China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit later this month.
• Wang Yi is scheduled to meet NSA Ajit Doval for the 24th round of Special Representative talks to resolve the India-China boundary dispute.

Detailed Insights:

• The focus of discussions was on complete demobilisation at the LAC and dismantling infrastructure to restore the status quo before April 2020.
• Jaishankar emphasized that maintaining peace and tranquillity in border areas is essential for positive momentum in India-China ties.
• Wang Yi highlighted global challenges, including "unilateral bullying" in free trade, referencing U.S. trade tariffs.
• China expressed its readiness to collaborate with India to establish peace, tranquillity, prosperity, beauty, and friendship.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Line of Actual Control (LAC): The de facto border between India and China.
• De-escalation: The process of reducing tensions or conflict.
• Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO): A Eurasian political, economic, and security alliance.