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India and China Reach Patrolling Arrangements along LAC, Confirms Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri
Union Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced on Monday that India and China have reached an agreement regarding patrolling arrangements along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh. The Foreign Secretary explained that Indian and Chinese negotiators have maintained contact over the past few weeks to address remaining border issues. The agreement specifically pertains to patrolling in the Depsang and Demchok regions, which have been focal points of friction. The announcement was made prior to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Russia for the 16th BRICS Summit.
“We have reached an agreement with China on the issues being discussed,” said Misri. He noted that this agreement is expected to facilitate eventual disengagement at the border. "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 area. This is leading to disengagement and eventually a resolution of the issues that had arisen in these areas in 2020," he added.
Relations between India and China have been strained since a deadly clash in June 2020 along the eastern Ladakh border, which resulted in the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers and an unknown number of Chinese casualties. This latest breakthrough comes just before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's scheduled visit to Kazan, Russia, for the 16th BRICS Summit. While there is no official confirmation, there is speculation that PM Modi may hold a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the summit.
The BRICS Summit, themed "Strengthening Multilateralism for Just Global Development and Security," will provide a platform for leaders to address key global issues. The Ministry of External Affairs noted that the summit presents an opportunity to review BRICS initiatives and explore new areas of cooperation. During his visit to Kazan, Modi is expected to hold meetings with leaders from BRICS nations and other invited participants.
