New Delhi — India and China have reached an agreement to allow border patrols along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh after a standoff that lasted more than four years. This agreement covers areas called the Depsang Plains and Demchuk.
Indian Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Misri announced that Indian troops can now patrol certain points in northern Ladakh. They will conduct patrols twice a month, similar to how things were done before 2020. Each patrol will involve around 14 to 15 soldiers from both sides.
To prevent any clashes, both countries will coordinate their patrol schedules and change them if needed to avoid overlap. This agreement is important because China had previously been unwilling to discuss these border areas.
Over the past few weeks, Indian and Chinese officials have had many talks, leading to this positive outcome. The Chinese Foreign Ministry said they are committed to working with India to make sure the agreement is implemented properly.
While this agreement is a good step forward, the situation in other areas like the Galwan Valley and Pangong Lake remains the same, as changes were made there two years ago.
The agreement follows recent discussions between Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, as well as talks involving National Security Adviser Ajit Doval. Both sides are looking to build a more peaceful relationship along the border, which is a hopeful sign for future stability in the region.