India’s Ministry of External Affairs confirmed an agreement with China on disengagement and border patrols along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
The announcement came amid Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s preparations to attend the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, this week. Border disengagement signalled progress in easing tensions since a deadly clash between Indian and Chinese troops in 2020. The incident left 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers dead.
Despite numerous discussions over the past few years, a comprehensive settlement could not be reached. Indian Foreign Minister Vikram Misri stated that the two parties reached an agreement after several rounds of talks involving military and diplomatic representatives from both countries.
The agreement allows for a return to patrol protocols that existed before 2020 but were broken due to increased tensions. Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar described the agreement as a “positive development,” emphasising that both nations could now resume patrols.
However, defence officials clarified that serious challenges, especially in Depsang and Demchok, remained despite the progress made. While the Indian foreign minister did not confirm a bilateral meeting between Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Kazan, he mentioned that such an interaction could take place on the sidelines of the summit depending on the final schedule.
The BRICS summit in Kazan hosted by Russia is expected to focus on the expansion of the bloc’s membership. The new participants will potentially strengthen its role as a platform to promote the interests of emerging economies.
