India and China Reach Breakthrough Agreement on LAC Patrolling.

In a major diplomatic achievement, India and China have reached an agreement on patrolling arrangements along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, marking a significant step toward disengagement and conflict resolution. This development comes ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Russia for the 16th BRICS Summit.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced today that intensive diplomatic and military discussions over the past few weeks have culminated in the agreement, which will resume patrolling in the Depsang and Demchok areas. “This progress will lead to disengagement and ultimately resolve issues that have persisted since 2020,” he said.

India and China’s militaries have been locked in a tense standoff along the LAC since May 2020, with India seeking restoration of pre-2020 status. Four of six friction points, including the Galwan Valley, where a deadly clash occurred in June 2020, have already seen troop pullbacks.

Last month, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar noted that 75% of the border disengagement challenges had been resolved. Both nations have pledged to intensify efforts to ensure full disengagement following a meeting between National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in St. Petersburg.

The Galwan clash, which claimed 20 Indian soldiers and marked the deadliest conflict since the 1962 war, significantly impacted bilateral relations. The latest agreement signals a positive shift toward restoring peace and stability in the border areas, crucial for strengthening India-China ties.