India, China Agree On Patrolling Arrangement Along LAC, Paving Way For Disengagement

India and China have reached a patrolling arrangement along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Himalayas, potentially leading to the disengagement of troops and resolution of tensions that started with clashes in May 2020, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced today. This breakthrough comes ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Russia for the BRICS summit tomorrow.

The agreement is understood to cover patrolling in the Depsang and Demchok areas, which have been points of contention. Misri confirmed that several rounds of diplomatic and military talks over the past few weeks led to this development. He stated the arrangement could help restore normalcy along the border and resolve issues from the 2020 standoff.

Upcoming Modi-Xi Bilateral Meeting Expected

Though not officially confirmed, it is expected that PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping will hold a bilateral meeting during the BRICS summit. The last official meeting between Indian and Chinese negotiators occurred on August 29 in Beijing. Both sides held forward-looking discussions aimed at reducing tensions and resolving differences along the LAC. It was agreed that restoring peace and respecting the LAC are essential for normalizing relations.

Challenges Remain in De-escalation Efforts

Despite recent progress, some areas along the LAC still require de-escalation. Indian and Chinese forces withdrew from the Gogra-Hot Springs area in September 2022, but Chinese troops continue to hold territory in the Depsang plains. Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi recently noted that while some issues have been resolved, difficult situations remain. He added that diplomatic efforts have shown positive signals, but final disengagement depends on military negotiations.

Clashes in Galwan in June 2020 left 20 Indian soldiers dead, and over 40 Chinese soldiers were killed or injured. The recent arrangement is seen as a key step toward restoring peace along the India-China border.

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