India, China Strike a Deal: Troops to Withdraw from Depsang and Demchok, Patrolling Set to Resume!
NEW DELHI – In a significant development, India and China have reached a new agreement regarding patrolling along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), particularly in the Depsang and Demchok areas. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs announced the agreement on Monday, following weeks of diplomatic and military talks between the two countries.
This agreement marks an essential step toward easing tensions that have persisted along the LAC since the 2020 standoff in Eastern Ladakh. Under the agreement, troops from both sides will disengage, a process referred to as "disengagement" in military terms, and patrolling will soon resume in the affected regions.
Troop Withdrawal and Patrolling Agreement
According to Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, who shared the details of the agreement, the discussions between India and China have paved the way for reducing tensions in the contested areas of Depsang and Demchok. Both countries are set to begin pulling back troops from these friction points, which have been the site of ongoing confrontations since 2020.
“Recent diplomatic and military talks have led to an understanding regarding the patrolling arrangements, contributing to a gradual resolution of the tensions that arose in Eastern Ladakh,” Misri stated. He added that this progress is part of ongoing efforts to de-escalate the situation along the LAC.
Tensions Since the 2020 Ladakh Standoff
Relations between India and China have been strained since the violent clash in the Galwan Valley in June 2020, where 20 Indian soldiers lost their lives, and an undisclosed number of Chinese soldiers were also killed. Since then, both nations have engaged in multiple rounds of talks aimed at reducing the military buildup and tension along the LAC, with varying degrees of success.
Foreign Secretary Misri also noted that this recent agreement aligns with the broader efforts to resolve the remaining issues along the LAC. While progress has been made in certain areas, including Depsang and Demchok, other friction points remain under discussion.
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Key Timing Ahead of BRICS Summit
This agreement comes just ahead of the 16th BRICS Summit, scheduled for October 22-23, 2024, in Kazan, Russia. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to attend the summit, which is a crucial platform for dialogue among Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. The summit may also offer an opportunity for a bilateral meeting between PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, although discussions about such a meeting are still ongoing.
Foreign Secretary Misri highlighted the importance of the recent diplomatic talks, stating, "We have been in contact with China on issues related to the LAC for the past few weeks, and our efforts have resulted in this new agreement on troop disengagement and patrolling."
Moving Forward
With the patrolling agreement in place, both countries are expected to reduce military tensions along the LAC, especially in Eastern Ladakh. However, some issues remain unresolved, and both sides continue to engage in dialogue to achieve a full de-escalation.
As the two nations move forward, the hope is that this latest agreement will serve as a stepping stone to broader peace and stability in the region. For now, the focus remains on ensuring that the disengagement process is completed smoothly, allowing for a return to normalcy along the LAC.
The BRICS summit, starting on October 22, may serve as an additional forum for bilateral discussions, providing both India and China with the chance to build on the progress made in recent weeks.