India, China agree to patrolling along ‘LAC leading to disengagement’

An agreement has been reached between India and China, as announced by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Monday, to disengage along the border and resume patrolling the Line of Actual Control.

In Brief

• Since the clash at Galwan in 2020, the situation along the Line of Actual Control has remained tense.
• Diplomatic and military talks took place between India and China.
• Resuming patrols along the Line of Actual Control has been mutually agreed upon.

The announcement of a significant development emerged on Monday as the government declared that India and China had reached a consensus to recommence patrols along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, resulting in a process of disengagement. This milestone was revealed just before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled attendance at the 16th BRICS Summit in Russia.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri disclosed that discussions held in recent weeks have culminated in an agreement regarding patrolling procedures along the Line of Actual Control in the India-China border region. This development signifies the initiation of disengagement and eventual resolution of the disputes encountered in these territories throughout 2020.

The official mentioned ongoing diplomatic and military talks between India and China in recent weeks when questioned about the possibility of a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the BRICS Summit. Details and timing for any potential bilateral engagements are still being coordinated.

Since the intense confrontation between Indian and Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley in June 2020, tensions have persisted along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Clash at Galwan Valley

The incident at Galwan on June 15, 2020, characterized as a hand-to-hand combat situation without firearms, led to India’s casualty count of 20 soldiers, among whom was a Colonel. While China officially reported four casualties, it is believed that up to 40 Chinese soldiers may have perished during the altercation.

The clash represented the most lethal encounter since the conflict in 1962, signaling a notable decline in the relationship between China and India. This event has brought about substantial changes in the geopolitical and strategic considerations of both countries, impacting bilateral relations, regional harmony, and global geopolitical dynamics in profound ways.