India and China Agree to Troop Withdrawal in Major Diplomatic Breakthrough Ahead of BRICS Summit

Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, October 21, 2024, New Delhi : In a significant diplomatic breakthrough, India and China have agreed to initiate the withdrawal of troops from the Line of Actual Control (LAC), marking a positive step toward resolving the long-standing border disputes between the two nations. The agreement comes after several weeks of intense negotiations, paving the way for improved bilateral relations ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Russia for the BRICS summit.

On Monday, Foreign Secretary Vikram Mistry confirmed the development during a press briefing, stating, "For several weeks, mediators from India and China have been engaged in continuous discussions. These talks have resulted in agreements on several critical issues, including measures to address tensions along the LAC."

According to Mistry, both countries are now prepared to take concrete steps to resolve the disputes that escalated in 2020, including the gradual withdrawal of troops from sensitive areas along the border. While the withdrawal process has been agreed upon, military surveillance will continue to ensure the security and stability of the region.

This agreement follows earlier peace-building efforts in August when both nations began discussions aimed at de-escalating tensions at the border. The latest developments represent a significant move forward in improving relations between the two Asian powers, whose ties have been strained since the 2020 border clashes.

However, the Foreign Secretary refrained from revealing specific details of the agreement, particularly concerning ongoing concerns about Chinese military construction in disputed areas along the LAC. The lack of clarity has left analysts speculating about the nature of the agreements reached, though it is clear that both sides are committed to maintaining surveillance and monitoring activities in the region to prevent further escalations.

Experts believe that this diplomatic breakthrough sets the stage for a potential bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping during the upcoming BRICS summit in Russia. If such a meeting occurs, it could signal a new chapter in India-China relations, with the possibility of further discussions on border security and regional stability.

India and China’s decision to move forward on troop withdrawal is being viewed as a major success for both countries’ diplomatic efforts, particularly for India, which has sought to restore peace at the border while ensuring the protection of its sovereignty. The development comes at a critical time for Prime Minister Modi as he prepares to engage in high-level discussions with global leaders at the BRICS summit.

While the immediate outcome is a welcome sign of easing tensions, the ongoing military surveillance underscores the fragility of the situation. Diplomatic experts caution that while this agreement is a positive step, the long-term resolution of the border disputes will require continued dialogue and cooperation.

The next few weeks will be crucial in determining how the agreement between India and China evolves and whether it leads to a lasting resolution of the border conflict that has tested diplomatic relations between the two nations for decades.

India Today: In a significant breakthrough, India and China have agreed to resume joint patrolling at key friction points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh. This agreement follows years of military standoffs since the 2020 Galwan Valley clash, which brought the two nations to a diplomatic and military impasse.

The deal, seen as a crucial step in the disengagement process, signals progress in the historically tense areas of Depsang Plains and Demchok, where tensions have remained high since the 2020 confrontation.

Diplomatic and Military Efforts Lead to Breakthrough

According to Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, this agreement is the culmination of weeks of intense diplomatic and military negotiations. Addressing the media on Monday, Misri said, “Both sides have been in close contact over the last several weeks, working through multiple channels to address long-standing issues.”

The breakthrough follows multiple rounds of military talks that have led to disengagement at other flashpoints along the LAC, such as Pangong Tso, Gogra, and Hot Springs. Defence sources indicated that both the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Indian Army were actively involved in the negotiations, focusing on ensuring smooth resumption of patrols in areas where disengagement has already occurred.

Depsang and Demchok, however, presented unique challenges due to their strategic importance. The agreement reactivates more than five critical patrol points under stringent monitoring, a significant achievement for both nations in stabilizing the region.

From Galwan to Depsang: Steps Toward Disengagement

The path to this agreement began after the 2020 Galwan Valley clash, which resulted in several disengagement initiatives:

• Galwan Valley (June 2020): Following a violent skirmish, both sides agreed to disengage, establishing buffer zones.
• Pangong Tso (February 2021): Troops withdrew from the north and south banks of Pangong Lake, marking a significant step in de-escalation.
• Gogra Post (August 2021): Forces disengaged from Patrolling Point 17A, creating buffer zones.
• Hot Springs (September 2022): Patrolling Point 15 saw disengagement, further easing tensions.

Depsang Plains and Demchok had remained unresolved, with negotiations stalling in previous rounds. The current agreement reflects both countries’ readiness to address these long-standing disputes and advance the disengagement process in the most challenging areas.

BRICS Summit: A Platform for Bilateral Talks

Although the specifics of the agreement are yet to be fully disclosed, further clarity is expected during the upcoming BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia. It is anticipated that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping may hold bilateral talks to finalize the modalities of the disengagement.

Defence insiders suggest that these talks will focus on determining whether patrolling will follow pre-2020 Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) or a new protocol designed to avoid further confrontation. Sources have indicated that Chinese troops will withdraw from key areas in Depsang, allowing Indian patrols to regain access to regions that had been previously blocked since 2020.

Government Hails Diplomatic Success

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar lauded the agreement as a major diplomatic achievement, emphasizing the importance of patient negotiations that began after his 2020 meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Moscow. "This agreement on patrolling is a product of very patient and persevering diplomacy. It is a positive development that will restore the peace and tranquillity that existed before 2020," Jaishankar said.

He further noted that the agreement will enable India to resume patrolling in areas that had been blocked during the standoff, helping normalize the situation along the LAC. "There are areas where, for various reasons after 2020, they had blocked us, and we blocked them. What has happened is that we reached an understanding which will allow the patrolling... Depsang is not the only place," Jaishankar added.

Moving Forward

The agreement to resume patrolling in the sensitive areas along the LAC marks a major step toward de-escalating tensions between India and China. While the disengagement process is still ongoing, this development is expected to stabilize the situation and prevent further confrontations, particularly in critical regions like Depsang and Demchok.

With sustained diplomatic and military efforts on both sides, the path to a lasting resolution seems closer, although the situation will continue to be monitored carefully as both nations work toward a peaceful resolution of their border disputes.