India and China Reach Agreement on Patrolling Along Line of Actual Control

India and China have successfully reached an agreement on patrolling arrangements along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) following extensive discussions at diplomatic and military levels. This breakthrough marks a significant step in resolving the military standoff that has persisted between the two nations in Eastern Ladakh since 2020.

Defence sources confirmed that the agreement specifically addresses friction points in Depsang, Demchok, and other areas where disengagement has already occurred. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stated in a press conference on Monday, “Over the past several weeks, Indian and Chinese diplomatic and military negotiators have been in close contact on various forums. As a result of these discussions, an agreement has been reached on patrolling arrangements along the LAC, leading to disengagement and the resolution of issues that arose in 2020. We will be taking the next steps on this.”

While the Ministry of External Affairs did not provide detailed information regarding the specifics of the agreement, Defence officials highlighted that it was achieved through a series of meetings involving both nations’ diplomats and military officials. This included Corps Commanders level talks in February and sessions of the Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) in August.

A senior official from the Ministry of Defence elaborated, “Both countries have agreed on patrolling, primarily focused on Depsang and Demchok, where there are more than five patrol points. However, this agreement is not limited to these two friction points.”

The official indicated that the discussions are progressing positively, and further details may emerge following a potential meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the BRICS summit.