Kazan [Russia], October 23 – Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri has confirmed that India and China reached a significant agreement on patrolling arrangements along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), restoring conditions to the status that existed in 2020. The agreement follows extensive diplomatic and military-level discussions over the past several weeks.
Patrolling and Grazing to Return to Pre-2020 Conditions
Elaborating on the agreement, Misri stated, “In the pending areas under discussion, patrolling and grazing activities will revert to the situation as it obtained in 2020.” He explained that these activities had been disrupted following the heightened tensions between the two nations along the LAC in 2020. The agreement primarily focuses on resolving issues that had remained outstanding for the past two years.
No Changes to Previous Disengagement Agreements
Misri clarified that the previous disengagement agreements, reached to de-escalate the 2020 confrontations, were not reopened during the recent discussions. “The agreement that was reached yesterday was focused on the unresolved issues of the past couple of years,” he said during the briefing.
PM Modi and Xi Jinping to Hold Bilateral Meeting
On the sidelines of the BRICS Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping for a bilateral discussion, just two days after the patrolling agreement was finalized. This meeting marks an important step in improving relations between the two countries following the tensions that arose in 2020.
India and China’s Diplomatic Efforts to Resolve Border Tensions
The Ministry of External Affairs had previously announced the agreement on October 21, marking a significant breakthrough in the ongoing diplomatic and military talks between India and China. Foreign Secretary Misri highlighted that the agreement is the result of sustained discussions at both diplomatic and military levels.
A Path Toward Disengagement and Stability
According to Misri, military commanders have been actively involved in negotiations to address unresolved tensions along the LAC since 2020. “This agreement signifies a path toward disengagement and a potential resolution of issues that arose during the confrontations of 2020,” he noted. Misri also recalled the violent clashes in Galwan Valley in June 2020, which resulted in casualties on both sides and significantly escalated tensions.
Progress in Managing India-China Border Disputes
With multiple rounds of military talks held since the 2020 clashes, this new agreement represents a critical step toward stabilizing relations between India and China. Misri emphasized that the agreement aims to prevent further military confrontations while managing the border disputes that have plagued the region.
As India and China continue to work toward restoring peace along the LAC, the agreement marks a pivotal moment in their efforts to rebuild trust and avoid future escalations.