The move comes ahead of the BRICS Summit in Kazan, which will be attended by both PM Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping.
The Indian and Chinese militaries have been locked in a standoff since May 2020 following the fierce clash in the Galwan Valley later in June that year, which had seen 20 martyrs, marking the most serious military conflict between the two sides in decades.
Why did India and China clash in 2020?
The tensions were triggered by China’s objections to Indian infrastructure projects, including the construction of a road in the Galwan River Valley that connects to an important airbase. China viewed this road as a threat to its territorial claims in the region, leading to a standoff between the two nations.
Also Read: India and China agree on patrolling arrangement along disputed Ladakh border
India-China standoff from 2020-24: A timeline
June 2020 – Galwan Valley Clash: First deadly clash in 45 years, resulting in 20 Indian and 4 Chinese fatalities.
January 2021 – Sikkim Skirmish: Troops clashed near the Naku La pass, causing injuries on both sides.
September 2021 – Shots Fired: Allegations of shots fired near Pangong Lake, violating the 1996 no-firearms agreement.
December 2022 – Tawang Clash: Soldiers clashed again in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tawang sector, causing minor injuries.
How long have Indian and Chinese negotiators been working on this?
Discussions have been ongoing for several weeks, leading to this agreement. The two sides have so far held 21 rounds of Corps Commander-level talks to resolve the standoff.
What is the recent agreement between India and China about?
The agreement pertains to patrolling arrangements along their contested Himalayan border, particularly the Line of Actual Control (LAC), aimed at reducing tensions that arose in 2020.
Over last few weeks, Indian and Chinese negotiators have been in touch on it, Misri added, talking about the border row with China in eastern Ladakh.
“We have been in discussions with Chinese interlocutors through the WMCC and military-level meetings. These discussions have previously resolved stand-offs at multiple locations. Now, an agreement on patrolling arrangements along the LAC has been reached, leading to disengagement and setting the stage for the resolution of the 2020 issues,” Misri said.
The Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) has been a critical platform for easing tensions. Following an August meeting in Beijing, both sides agreed to intensify diplomatic and military-level contacts to address remaining issues.
