New Delhi: In a significant diplomatic breakthrough, India and China have reached an agreement to resume patrolling along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh. This deal marks a return to pre-April 2020 conditions before the Galwan Valley clashes, which had brought bilateral relations to a near breaking point. The agreement is expected to open the door for enhanced political and trade ties between the two Asian giants, signaling a shift in their contentious relationship over the past four years.
The diplomatic win comes after 17 rounds of working mechanism meetings and 21 rounds of military dialogue between the two countries. The breakthrough means that troops will resume patrolling and grazing activities in the disputed regions of Depsang and Demchok. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri highlighted that the agreement would restore the status quo in key areas, echoing sentiments expressed by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar during a media briefing.
A Diplomatic Victory for India
For India, the agreement is seen as a major diplomatic and military achievement, given that China had previously refused to revert to the earlier patrolling agreements. The stalemate that lasted for four years saw Indian forces keeping up pressure through diplomatic channels and military readiness. The agreement’s significance is further underlined by its potential to set the stage for the first face-to-face meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Russia since the border standoff began.
Resuming Patrolling in Strategic Areas
The deal is expected to have significant military implications for India. It allows Indian troops to resume patrolling up to their former points in Depsang and Demchok—two key friction zones that had remained unresolved after previous rounds of disengagement talks. Patrolling in these areas is crucial for India, as both regions hold strategic military value.
The Depsang Plains, situated north of Ladakh, are of particular military importance. This region is close to the Daulat Beg Oldie post near the Karakoram Pass, a critical outpost for India. Unlike the rugged terrain in other parts of Ladakh, the flat surface of the Depsang Plains allows for the movement of troops and armored vehicles, making it a potential hotspot for any future conflict. The area had seen Chinese troops intruding 15 km into zones previously patrolled by Indian forces.
Impact on Broader India-China Relations
Beyond the immediate military advantages, the border agreement has broader implications for Sino-Indian relations. It raises hopes for resolving the larger territorial dispute between the two nations, which continues to be a source of tension. India and China share a 3,488 km-long border, with overlapping territorial claims that include India’s northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh and the Aksai Chin region in Ladakh.
While China claims 90,000 square kilometers of Indian territory, including parts of Arunachal Pradesh, India maintains that 38,000 square kilometers in Aksai Chin are part of Ladakh. Despite the recent disengagement, the differences in perception of the LAC remain a challenge that both sides acknowledge will require time to resolve fully.
Reviving Trade and Economic Ties
The agreement could also lead to a thaw in economic relations between India and China, which have been strained since the Galwan clashes. Following the border skirmish, the Indian government imposed strict norms on Chinese investments and banned around 300 Chinese apps, including the popular TikTok, citing national security concerns.
As relations normalise, there is potential for the resumption of direct flights between India and China, which have been suspended since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Business ties between the two nations could also see a revival, with China historically being one of India’s key trading partners and suppliers of critical raw materials, such as telecom equipment and pharmaceutical ingredients.
China had faced difficulties in conducting business in India over the past few years due to tightened investment scrutiny. With the new agreement, industry experts anticipate that many pending investment proposals could finally receive approval, potentially injecting billions of dollars into India’s economy.
A New Chapter in Indo-China Relations?
The renewed engagement between India and China represents a cautious but promising shift. Both nations are aware of the geopolitical significance of their relationship, not just for themselves but for the broader Asian region. Improved ties between the two could contribute to stability in South Asia, especially as both countries hold influential roles in multilateral forums like BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).
However, while the agreement marks progress, analysts caution that trust between the two countries remains fragile. Both sides have been bolstering their infrastructure along the LAC, and their differing interpretations of the boundary line continue to pose challenges. The success of this agreement will depend on its implementation on the ground and the political will to resolve deeper disputes in a peaceful manner.
India’s agreement with China to resume patrolling along the LAC marks a significant step towards normalizing relations after a period of heightened tensions. As troops prepare to return to their old patrolling routes, both nations seem to be opening a new chapter in their bilateral relations—one that could lead to improved political dialogue and economic cooperation. The coming months will reveal whether this agreement can pave the way for long-term peace and stability along the India-China border.