Disengagement on LAC not a reset: Jaishankar

I don't think it's feasible... that America would turn its back on the world... If you are the number one power, you have to remain engaged with the world. The terms you are offering... are going to be different -S JAISHANKAR, External affairs minister

The latest disengagement of Indian and Chinese troops on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) is only part of a process that must lead to de-escalation and resolution of other issues linked to the bilateral relationship, and does not signify a reset in ties at this stage, external affairs minister S Jaishankar said on Saturday.

It is reasonable to expect the disengagement will lead to "some improvement" in the bilateral ties, though it will be crucial to ensure equilibrium or stability in what is currently a complicated relationship, Jaishankar said during a conversation at the 22nd Hindustan Times Leadership Summit.

"I see disengagement as disengagement. Nothing more, nothing less. If you look at our current situation with China, we have an issue where our troops are uncomfortably close along the Line of Actual Control, which required us to disengage," Jaishankar said while responding to a question from HT's editor-in-chief R Sukumar on whether the disengagement amounted to the start of a strategic reset.

The understanding between India and China on October 21 was the last of the disengagement agreements. "So with its implementation, the disengagement part of the problem is at rest," he said.

"After this, there is the de-escalation, which means the massing of troops along the LAC and all the associated developments with that. And linked with that, the other aspects of the relationship. So at this moment, frankly, we are focused on the disengagement."

Following the disengagement, he said, "It's a reasonable supposition that there will be some improvement in the ties". Asked if this was cause for optimism, he replied: "Perhaps the current situation doesn't necessarily warrant that at this time."