India, China reach agreement on LAC patrolling; border row may ease now

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said on Monday that India and China have reached an agreement on patrolling along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh

India and China have reached an agreement on patrolling activities along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced on Monday.

Misri revealed that both Indian and Chinese negotiators had been in communication over the past few weeks to resolve outstanding issues.

The agreement involves patrolling arrangements in the Depsang and Demchok areas, according to news agency PTI.

"Indian and Chinese negotiators have been in regular contact over the past few weeks," Misri stated during a special briefing a day ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's scheduled visit to Kazan, Russia, to participate in the BRICS Summit.

Misri added that New Delhi and Beijing have arrived at an agreement on patrolling arrangements along the LAC, which will lead to disengagement. He went on to say, "We will be taking the next steps on this."

Misri said, "We have been in discussion with Chinese interlocutors through the Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC), as was mentioned earlier, and at the military level as well through meetings of the military commanders at various levels. These discussions have in the past resulted in the resolution of standoffs at various locations. You are also aware that there were a few locations where the standoff had not been resolved."

"Now, as a result of the discussions that have taken place over the last several weeks, an agreement has been arrived at on patrolling arrangements along the Line of Actual Control in the India-China border areas, and this is leading to disengagement and, eventually, a resolution of the issues that had arisen in these areas in 2020," added Misri.

While no official confirmation has been provided, PTI reported that there is speculation that PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping could hold a bilateral discussion on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit.

In a previous meeting held in August, India and China had reportedly discussed maintaining peace and stability along the LAC. Both sides had also agreed to intensify contact via both diplomatic and military channels to resolve the lingering disputes.

Monday's announcement comes after reports in late September that India and China had made "significant progress" in addressing unresolved issues along the LAC in eastern Ladakh.

Back then, it was reported that the development could ultimately enable Indian forces to regain access to certain patrolling points along the LAC that had previously been inaccessible due to restrictions imposed by China.

Discussions were reported to have also considered a solution that would reflect both nations' positions prior to April 2020 while also addressing other concerns, such as those in Arunachal Pradesh.

An Indian Express report, citing unnamed sources, had mentioned that Indian troops -- who had been unable to access certain patrolling points along the LAC due to Chinese presence or buffer zones created during disengagement -- might regain access to those locations. However, it was not immediately known to what extent Monday's announcement will facilitate the Indian Army's return to LAC patrolling points barred by China.

PM Modi will visit Russia on October 22 and 23 to attend the 16th BRICS Summit, under the Chairmanship of Russia.

The summit, being held under the theme 'Strengthening Multilateralism for Just Global Development and Security', will provide an important platform for leaders to discuss key global issues.

In a release, the MEA said that the summit will offer a valuable opportunity to assess the progress of initiatives launched by BRICS and to identify potential areas for future collaboration. It also said that PM Modi is expected to hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts from BRICS member countries and invited leaders.

(With agency input)