India and China have reached an agreement on patrolling arrangements, resolving the military standoff at the LAC that began in April 2020. The announcement was made by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and suggests a collaborative effort to restore peace, with potential high-level meetings expected during the upcoming BRICS summit.
In a significant diplomatic breakthrough, India and China have finalized an agreement regarding “patrolling arrangements” aimed at resolving the military standoff at the Line of Actual Control (LAC), as announced by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on October 21, 2024. This agreement encompasses not only areas already disengaged but also unresolved regions like Demchok and Depsang, indicating a potential resolution to the tensions that have persisted since April 2020. While the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) did not elaborate on specific details such as the potential reversion to pre-2020 conditions or the status of newly established buffer zones, Mr. Misri confirmed that a consensus had been reached on the discussed issues. The timing of this announcement, coinciding with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming attendance at the BRICS summit alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping, suggests the likelihood of a meeting between the two leaders. Despite previous encounters totalling 18 prior to the June 2020 Galwan clashes, which resulted in the loss of 20 Indian soldiers, Modi and Xi have only spoken twice since. Mr. Misri, while stating that plans for several bilateral dialogues are being considered at the summit, cautioned that the government is still evaluating their scheduling. He referred to previous discussions between high-ranking officials that led to this agreement, highlighting engagements between External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi as well as military negotiations in recent weeks. At a recent summit, Mr. Jaishankar remarked on the resolution of disengagement, noting, “We have gone back to where the situation was in 2020; so we can say that the disengagement process with China has been completed. To my knowledge, we have reached an understanding regarding patrolling.” He emphasized the importance of maintaining peace along the LAC as foundational for broader India-China relations going forward. The ongoing discussions and developments point towards a concerted effort by both nations to restore stability along their shared border, marking a notable progression in their diplomatic relations.
The India-China military standoff began in April 2020 along the LAC, leading to significant tensions and confrontations, notably the deadly skirmishes in June 2020. Both countries have engaged in multiple rounds of diplomatic and military talks to address these issues, with various agreements for disengagement reached over time. The recent developments suggest substantial strides in improving bilateral relations after years of hostilities at the border, emphasizing the continual diplomatic efforts from both sides to resolve long-standing disputes and re-establish peace. This agreement could establish a framework for patrolling that alleviates military tensions, a crucial step toward restoring order in the region. Furthermore, the announcement comes in the context of an important international summit, potentially facilitating further high-level dialogues between Indian and Chinese leaders.
In summary, the agreement on patrolling arrangements between India and China signals a pivotal shift towards resolving the protracted military standoff at the LAC. With discussions led by senior officials and high-level dialogues anticipated during the BRICS summit, the possibility of rekindling bilateral relations looks promising. The progress made post-agreement indicates a foundational effort towards sustained peace and stability along the India-China border, which may redefine their long-term strategic partnership.
Original Source: www.thehindu.com
