The process of military disengagement is set to begin across the Line of Actual Control (LAC) following a recent patrolling agreement signed between India and China. According to PTI, patrolling in certain areas will resume after troops on both sides dismantle temporary structures and complete disengagement.
This disengagement will occur at Depsang and Demchok, two critical points in the Eastern Ladakh region. Following the Galwan clash of 2020, which resulted in several casualties on both sides, a military standoff ensued in the region.
Background
The timing of this agreement is notable, as Prime Minister Modi met Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the recently concluded BRICS summit. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated that military disengagement at two friction points along the Ladakh border marks an initial step, with de-escalation of tensions as the next priority. He further emphasized that rebuilding trust and mutual goodwill between the two nations will take time.
Significant Development
This development is anticipated to open a channel for positive discussions with China on border disputes in other areas. However, it’s important to note that the latest agreement applies only to the two specified points in Eastern Ladakh. Marking a significant achievement for Indian diplomatic and military leadership, troops from both sides will return to their pre-April 2020 positions. Additionally, patrolling will resume in areas that were accessible as of April 2020.
S. Jaishankar’s Comments
On Saturday, Union Minister S. Jaishankar remarked that the border situation has been tense, significantly straining relations between the two nations. The Foreign Minister outlined that the agreement addresses three primary issues, with the top priority being disengagement, as troops from both countries remain in close proximity, creating a risk of potential incidents.
The second priority, he explained, is de-escalation, followed by the broader challenge of establishing effective border management and negotiating a boundary settlement.
Understanding the Border
India and China share approximately 2,167 miles of land border, divided into three main sectors: the Western Sector, primarily in Ladakh; the Middle Sector, which passes through Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, where disputes are minimal; and the Eastern Sector, known as the McMahon Line, which borders Arunachal Pradesh. This border is often referred to as the Line of Actual Control (LAC), a demarcation line based on the territories each country controls rather than a formally agreed boundary. The absence of a settled border agreement has led to intermittent standoffs and skirmishes over the years.
