Big Breakthrough Ahead of BRICS: India-China Strike Key Border Patrolling Pact Along LAC

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced that India and China have reached an agreement on patrolling arrangements along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). This decision follows extensive negotiations between officials from both countries, aimed at addressing tensions that have persisted since the skirmishes in 2020.

During a press conference, Misri stated, “We have reached an agreement with China on the issues being discussed.” He emphasized that this accord is expected to pave the way for eventual disengagement along the border, a crucial step toward restoring stability in the region.

The Foreign Secretary elaborated on the discussions that have unfolded over the past several weeks, stating, “An agreement has been arrived at on patrolling arrangements along the line of actual control in the India-China border area. This is leading to disengagement and eventually a resolution of the issues that had arisen in these areas in 2020.”

This comes ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi 's visit to Russia to attend the BRICS summit tomorrow.

On being asked about a potential bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit, the official stated, "In recent weeks, diplomatic and military discussions between India and China have been ongoing. We are still coordinating the timing and details for any bilateral engagements." 

S Jaishankar on China border row

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had earlier stated that when he meant that 75 percent progress on the India-China border dispute talks was done, it was only on the disengagement of troops in eastern Ladakh.

Jaishankar said India has had a "difficult history" with China and that Beijing moved several troops to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in 2020, despite New Delhi having "explicit agreements" with it.

"We have a difficult history with China. Despite the explicit agreements we had with China, we saw in the middle of Covid that the Chinese moved a large number of forces in violation of these agreements to the LAC. It was likely a mishap would happen and it did. So, there was a clash and a number of troops died on either side. That, in a sense, overshadowed the relationship," he said at the Asia Society at the Asia Society Policy Institute in New York.