Ladakh MP Haji Hanifa Jan has expressed scepticism about trusting China just days after India and China reached an agreement to disengage from several conflict points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh.
During a recent visit to Demchok, where he engaged with local residents, Hanifa remarked, “Trusting China completely is difficult. The Indian Army and our government sincerely uphold the pact, but China must also adhere to it.” His comments follow the completion of the disengagement process by the Indian Army and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in the Depsang and Demchok areas. On Diwali, the two sides exchanged sweets at various border points, marking a gesture of goodwill.
As Ladakh’s only representative in the Lok Sabha, Hanifa highlighted the unique perspective of those living near the border. “Those who live near the border know what war feels like. We desire peace. We welcome the agreement but want to see it implemented on the ground. Tensions along the border should be reduced through diplomatic means,” he emphasized.
This recent agreement on patrolling comes over four years after hostilities began between the two nations. It also facilitated a long-awaited bilateral meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping during the BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, marking their first interaction in five years.
