<p><strong>New Delhi:</strong> Peace and tranquility in border areas is a pre-requisite for the development of bilateral ties with China and the two side will be discussing de-escalation and effective management of activities in these areas in the coming days, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Wednesday while making a statement on India-China relations in the Rajya Sabha.</p>
<p>A brief uproar was also witnessed following the statement and Opposition MPs walked out of the House after Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar, disallowed them from seeking some clarifications.</p>
<p>Jaishankar, while making a statement on “Recent Developments in India’s Relations with China”, also said disengagement has now been achieved in full in eastern Ladakh through a step-by-step process, culminating in Depsang and Demchok. He had earlier made an identical statement in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.</p>
<p>Jaishankar, in his statement, said India was and remains very clear that the three key principles must be observed in all circumstances, he said explaining: “one: both sides should strictly respect and observe the Line of Actual Control (LAC), two: neither side should attempt to unilaterally alter the status quo, and three: agreements and understandings reached in the past must be fully abided by in their entirety”.</p>
<p>”Our relationship had progressed in many domains, but was obviously negatively affected by recent events. We are clear that the maintenance of peace and tranquility in border areas is a prerequisite for the development of our ties. In the coming days, we will be discussing both de-escalation as well as effective management of our activities in the border areas,” he said.</p>
<p>He said with the task of disengagement completed, it is now our expectation that discussions would commence in regard to the remaining issues that we had placed on the agenda.</p>
<p>”The conclusion of the disengagement phase now allows us to consider other aspects of our bilateral engagement in a calibrated manner, keeping our national security interests first and foremost,” he said.</p>
<p>Jaishankar’s detailed statement came weeks after Indian and Chinese militaries completed the disengagement of troops from two last face-off points in eastern Ladakh, effectively ending the over four-year military face-off along the LAC in eastern Ladakh.</p>
<p>”The next priority will be to consider de-escalation, that would address the massing of troops along the LAC with associated accompaniments,” he said.</p>
<p>Soon after the Minister completed his statement, Opposition leaders wanted to seek some clarifications. It was, however, disallowed by the Chair, leading to a brief ruckus in the House.</p>
<p>”Time and again, I have invited your attention, indulgence, that we are being watched by the entire nation and our demeanour is causing a serious dilution of the institution, an institution meant for debate is not having it, therefore getting into irrelevance,” Dhankhar said as Opposition members demanded that the minister answer their questions.</p>
<p>”The rule on a statement is explicit. The Minister… has taken the House in confidence. He could be as exhaustive as possible,” he said.</p>
<p>Opposition MPs then walked out of the Houe in protest. The House then took up discussion on The Boilers Bill. </p>
<p><strong>(This report has been published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. Apart from the headline, no editing has been done in the copy by ABP Live.)</strong></p>