New Delhi: Ladakh MP Haji Hanifa Jan expressed skepticism about trusting China, just days after India and China reached a consensus on disengagement from several conflict zones along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh. During a visit to Demchok, where he interacted with locals, Hanifa said, “Yesterday, I was in Demchok, where I met the locals. Trusting China completely is difficult. The Indian Army and our government are sincere in upholding the pact, but China must also adhere to it,
His remarks followed the successful completion of the disengagement process in Depsang and Demchok by both the Indian Army and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). On Diwali, the two sides exchanged sweets at various border locations in the Ladakh sector.
Hanifa, the sole representative of Ladakh in the Lok Sabha, highlighted the unique perspective of those living near the border.“Those of us who live near the border, know what war feels like. We desire peace. We welcome the agreement but we want to see it implemented on the ground. Tensions along the border should be reduced through diplomatic means,” he said.
India, China sign historic pact
The border standoff between India and China in eastern Ladakh originated in April-May 2020, after actions taken by the Chinese army along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) between the two nations. Last week, more than four years after hostilities began, India and China reached an agreement on a patrolling pact in the region. The development facilitated a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping during the BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, marking their first interaction in five years.
