Indian and Chinese negotiators have reached an agreement on patrolling arrangements along the LAC, leading to disengagement and resolution of issues that had arisen since 2020. This agreement was announced on October 21 by Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, marking the end of a prolonged military standoff in eastern Ladakh.
The United States government has expressed its approval of the recent reduction in tensions along the India-China Line of Actual Control (LAC). This development follows the initial steps taken by both countries to withdraw troops from friction points along the LAC, which had been contentious issue since 2020. The move is being closely monitored by the US according to US State Department Spokesperson, Matthew Miller.
Miller stated, “We’re closely following the developments. We understand that both countries have taken initial steps to withdraw troops from friction points along the Line of Actual Control. We welcome any reduction in tensions along the border.” He further clarified that while the US has been briefed on the situation by its Indian partners, it did not play any role in the resolution.
Agreement on Patrolling Arrangements
Patrolling is a crucial aspect of LAC border management between India and China. Since there is no physical line on the ground corresponding to maps, Indian troops patrol up to their perceived border before returning to base. This practice involves leaving behind signs of their presence, such as empty cigarette packets or matchboxes made in India.
The agreement restores patrolling rights in the Depsang Plains and Demchok region, areas with legacy issues predating the 2020 Chinese incursions. As per reports, Indian troops can now patrol up to patrolling points (PP) 10 to 13 in the Depsang Plains and in Charding nullah of Demchok twice a month, with 10-15 troops in a patrol.
The Depsang Plains, located in the northern part of eastern Ladakh, have been a contentious area due to their strategic importance. Tensions escalated in April 2020 when India accused China of attempting to alter the status quo by moving beyond their usual patrolling points. This led to a significant military buildup on both sides, with troops facing off at close quarters.
Demchok, situated in southeastern Ladakh, has also been a flashpoint. The region saw increased tensions during the 2020 standoff, with both sides accusing each other of incursions. The area is particularly sensitive due to its proximity to the Charding Nullah, a stream that marks part of the disputed border. The standoff led to a halt in patrolling activities, and both sides maintained a heavy military presence. The situation remained tense, with both countries engaging in multiple rounds of talks to de-escalate the situation
Foreign Secretary Misri highlighted the continuous evolution of confidence-building measures as both sides engage in multiple formats, as one of the major casualties of the 2020 clash was trust between the two nations. He noted that the last agreement on border issues was in September 2022, and the current agreement pertains to the remaining areas along the LAC.
The announcement of the agreement was followed by a bilateral meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the BRICS leaders’ summit in Kazan, Russia. Discussions included the situation in the Indo-Pacific, with India emphasizing the need for a peaceful, free, open, and inclusive region, respecting international law.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian confirmed in a press briefing on October 25 (four days after India announced that an agreement on patrolling in the Depsang Plains and Demchok had been reached with China), that the disengagement process is progressing smoothly. As per reports, the coordinated patrolling of areas previously inaccessible due to the standoff is expected to commence soon, marking a significant step towards de-escalation and demilitarization.
“In accordance with the resolutions that China and India reached recently on issues concerning the border area, the Chinese and Indian frontier troops are engaged in relevant work, which is going smoothly at the moment,” he told the press.
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