India and China Reach Patrolling Agreement Along the LAC

Why India and China in the News?

In a significant diplomatic breakthrough, India and China have reached an agreement to resume patrolling at key friction points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh. This comes after years of military standoffs that began in 2020 with the Galwan Valley clash, which had left both nations in a deadlock.

Key Points in Today’s Article:

• The Galwan attack and its aftermath
• Key highlights of the recent patrolling agreement along the LAC
• The significance of this agreement

The Galwan Clash and Its Aftermath

Galwan Clash:

• In May 2020, Indian and Chinese troops clashed at multiple locations along the LAC, including Pangong Tso, Galwan Nalah, Demchok in Ladakh, and Naku La in Sikkim, which is situated at an altitude of over 5,000 meters.
• On June 15, 2020, a violent face-off erupted between Indian troops and the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in Galwan Valley, leading to a high number of troops and heavy weaponry being deployed by both sides in the area.

Corps Commander Level Talks:

Since the clash, India and China have engaged in several rounds of Corps Commander-level talks to resolve the standoff in eastern Ladakh.

Friction Points:

There are seven key friction points in eastern Ladakh where confrontations between Indian and Chinese troops have occurred since May 2020:

• • PP 14 (Galwan)
  • PP 15 (Hot Springs)
  • PP 17A (Gogra)
  • North and south banks of Pangong Tso
  • Depsang Plains
  • Charding Nullah

Key Highlights of the Recent Patrolling Agreement Along the LAC

1. Restoration of Patrolling Rights in Depsang Plains and Demchok:
   • India and China have agreed to resume patrolling rights in the Depsang Plains and Demchok areas, which have been longstanding “legacy issues” predating the 2020 standoff.
   • Indian troops will be able to patrol up to Patrolling Points (PP) 10 to 13 in Depsang, as well as Charding Nullah in Demchok.
2. Agreement on Patrolling Protocols:
   • Both countries will now patrol up to the original points along the LAC, with Indian patrols scheduled to occur twice a month.
   • Each patrol will consist of 14-15 soldiers to minimize the risk of clashes.
   • The patrol schedules will be coordinated, and any overlapping dates will be mutually adjusted to avoid misunderstandings.
3. Status of Other Friction Points:
   • While agreements have been reached for Depsang and Demchok, there has been no change in the situation at other friction points like the Galwan Valley and Pangong Tso.
   • Discussions are ongoing regarding sensitive areas in the eastern sector, particularly in Arunachal Pradesh.
4. Confidence-Building Measures:
   • The agreement seeks to rebuild trust between the two countries by instituting monthly commander-level meetings and situation-specific dialogues.
   • There is also a plan to gradually reduce troop deployment along the LAC, especially in preparation for the upcoming winter.

Significance of the Agreement

1. Rekindling Diplomatic and Political Ties:
   • This agreement offers renewed hope for restoring diplomatic and bilateral ties between India and China, which had been severely strained following the Galwan clash.
   • The breakthrough is particularly significant given that China had previously shown reluctance to discuss patrolling issues, despite agreeing to disengage at other friction points.
2. Strategic Importance of Depsang Plains:
   • The Depsang Plains hold immense strategic value as they are located 30 km southeast of the Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO) post, near the Karakoram Pass.
   • This region offers a rare flat surface amid mountainous terrain, making it a potential site for launching military offensives, similar to the Spanggur Gap in the Chushul sub-sector.
   • A key geographical feature, the Bottleneck (also known as the Y-Junction), connects important areas in the Depsang Plains and sits along the vital Darbuk-Shyok-DBO (DSDBO) road.

Conclusion:

The new patrolling agreement between India and China marks a significant step towards reducing tensions along the LAC and rebuilding mutual trust. While challenges remain in addressing unresolved friction points like Galwan and Pangong Tso, the restoration of patrolling rights in Depsang and Demchok is an encouraging sign of progress. By continuing diplomatic dialogues and confidence-building measures, both nations have the opportunity to foster stability and cooperation in the long term.

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