The foreign ministries of India and China have confirmed that an agreement has been reached regarding military patrolling along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
This confirmation coincides with the leaders of both nations attending the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia. It finishes the “disengagement process” between the two nations.
In 2020, a “violent face-off” with Chinese troops along the countries’ de facto border in the Himalayas saw at least 20 Indian soldiers killed.
The deadly border clash took place during a de-escalation effort in the Galwan Valley, located in the contested Aksai Chin-Ladakh region.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said: “Over a recent period of time, China and India have reached resolutions on issues concerning the border area following close communication through diplomatic and military channels.
“China commends the progress made and will continue working with India for the sound implementation of these resolutions.”
High-level discussions between Indian and Chinese army commanders have been ongoing to facilitate the disengagement of forces.
India Foreign Secretary Shri Vikram Misri said: “I can share with you that over the last several weeks, Indian and Chinese diplomatic and military negotiators have been in close contact with each other in a variety of forums.
“And as a result of these discussions, agreement has been arrived at on patrolling arrangements along the Line of Actual Control in the India-China border areas, leading to disengagement and a resolution of the issues that had arisen in these areas in 2020. And we will be taking the next steps on this.”
