India-China Agreement on LAC Patrolling Marks Progress After 4-Year Standoff
India and China have taken a significant step forward in resolving their prolonged military standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), particularly in areas like Depsang and Demchok. The two countries have been locked in a tense border dispute since 2020, which led to multiple face-offs and a breakdown in patrolling activities in several key regions. However, after a series of high-level diplomatic and military discussions, both sides have reached an agreement on patrolling arrangements along the LAC, signaling a potential easing of tensions.
Diplomatic and Military Talks: A Path to Resolution
The breakthrough comes after more than four years of standoff, with 21 rounds of military commander-level talks and 31 meetings under the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC). These discussions, which took place between military commanders and diplomats, aimed to address the friction points that emerged in 2020. Defence sources have confirmed that the focus of the agreement is on key areas like Depsang and Demchok, although other sensitive points have also been discussed.
According to Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, the agreement is a result of sustained diplomatic and military efforts over the past several weeks. Both sides have agreed on a set of patrolling arrangements that will pave the way for disengagement and, ultimately, a resolution of the border issues that have strained relations since the Galwan Valley clash in 2020.
Key Friction Points: Depsang, Demchok, and Beyond
The agreement specifically addresses long-standing issues at Depsang and Demchok, two critical points along the LAC where tensions have been high. Defence sources reveal that there are more than five patrol points in these areas, but the agreement is not limited to these regions alone. Discussions have also touched on other areas where buffer zones were implemented following disengagement at locations like the Finger Area, Galwan’s Patrol Point 14 (PP14), Gogra’s PP17, and Hot Spring’s PP15. While disengagement at these locations took place two years ago, patrolling had been suspended. With the new agreement, patrols are expected to resume soon, marking a return to the pre-2020 status quo.
Three-Step Process for Disengagement
The agreement between India and China is part of a broader, graded approach to de-escalating tensions, often referred to as the ‘Three Ds’: Disengagement, De-escalation, and De-induction. This three-step process has been consistently highlighted as essential for diffusing the border standoff. Disengagement refers to the physical withdrawal of troops from friction points, de-escalation involves reducing the intensity of the conflict, and de-induction pertains to the complete removal of military forces from the area.
While the current agreement primarily focuses on disengagement and patrolling, it is expected that further measures will be taken in the coming months to implement the full de-escalation process. Defence officials caution, however, that the agreement does not mean an immediate withdrawal of troops, but it does set the stage for further positive developments.
A Tentative Path Forward
Although the exact modalities of the agreement are still being worked out, officials remain optimistic about the future of India-China relations along the LAC. “Both sides are working for on-ground implementations. This will not result in pulling back troops immediately, but things possibly will change for the better,” a senior Defence Ministry official explained. Further talks and meetings are anticipated, particularly between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, who may meet on the sidelines of upcoming international forums like BRICS.
Historical Context and Future Implications
The India-China border dispute has been a longstanding issue, with flare-ups occurring sporadically over the past several decades. The current standoff, which began in 2020, has been one of the most serious in recent years, with both countries reinforcing their positions along the LAC. The recent agreement on patrolling and disengagement marks a positive step forward, but much work remains to be done to ensure long-term peace and stability in the region.
The situation along the LAC remains fragile, but the agreement reached after multiple rounds of diplomatic and military consultations offers hope for a peaceful resolution. Both India and China have emphasized their commitment to maintaining peace along the border, and this new agreement may pave the way for further confidence-building measures in the future.
As the disengagement process unfolds, the world will be watching closely to see whether both countries can move beyond the tensions of the past and work toward a more cooperative future. For now, the agreement on patrolling at Depsang and Demchok represents a significant achievement, and it could be a turning point in India-China relations along the LAC.