China, Oct 22 (Alliance News): India and China have reached an agreement on military disengagement along their disputed border, marking a significant step towards reducing tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors as their leaders arrive in Russia for a summit.
India’s Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar announced on Monday that the new agreement on military patrolling in specific areas returns the situation to its state prior to the deadly border clash in 2020, effectively completing the “disengagement process” with China.
Beijing confirmed on Tuesday that both sides had “reached a solution” after maintaining close communication through diplomatic and military channels regarding border issues.
This development is seen as a precursor to potential discussions between Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who are attending the BRICS summit in Kazan, southwestern Russia. Both foreign ministries, however, did not confirm if formal one-on-one talks would occur during the summit.
Details of the agreement and its implementation in the contentious high-altitude region remain undisclosed, although both India and China have a significant military presence along their 2,100-mile (3,379-kilometer) de facto border, known as the Line of Actual Control (LAC). This boundary has long been a source of tension, especially since the 1962 Sino-Indian War.
The deadly clash four years ago resulted in the first known fatalities in decades, with at least 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers killed along the disputed border between Indian Ladakh and Chinese-controlled Aksai Chin.
During last year’s BRICS summit in Johannesburg, Xi and Modi agreed to intensify efforts to de-escalate tensions at the contested border. The 31st round of border talks between Chinese and Indian negotiators took place in late August.
While this new agreement represents a positive step in addressing longstanding frictions between China and India, observers note that further details are necessary to fully understand its scope and any concessions made.
India’s Minister of External Affairs expressed optimism about the new agreement, describing it as a “positive development” resulting from “patient and persevering diplomacy.” He highlighted that the understanding would allow both nations to patrol the areas as they did in 2020.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian remarked that Beijing “positively evaluates” the solution and intends to work with India for its implementation, though specifics were not disclosed during a routine media briefing.
Observers emphasize the need for more clarity on the arrangement. Manoj Kewalramani, head of Indo-Pacific studies at the Takshashila Institution, stated that restoring patrolling rights would be a significant initial step toward normalization, yet many other issues, such as troop de-induction and infrastructure concerns, must also be addressed in the ongoing process.