NEW DELHI: India announced on Monday a significant breakthrough in resolving the military standoff with China, marking the first major step towards normalcy along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh. However, several critical aspects must still be addressed before the situation can return to pre-April 2020 levels.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, speaking at an event, confirmed that a ‘patrolling arrangement’ has been worked out for troops along the LAC, and that disengagement had reverted the situation to its 2020 status. However, he added, “It has just happened; there will be meetings to see what will be the next steps, I wouldn’t go so fast.”
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri also stated that further steps would be taken towards resolution at the LAC. India has already proposed a three-step process: disengagement, which was completed, followed by de-escalation and de-induction, which would involve pulling back troops and equipment to pre-April 2020 positions.
One major issue that remains is the substantial military buildup on both sides of the LAC, with troops, tanks, missiles and fighter jets in close proximity. This situation threatens to become a ‘new normal’, with armed troops stationed near each other, a senior official noted.
Today’s development marks the first real progress since September 2022, when troops from both sides disengaged at Patrolling Point 15 in Eastern Ladakh. However, clarity on the specifics of the ‘patrolling arrangement’ is expected to emerge in the coming days.
In an unexpected move, China has sought patrolling rights in the Yangtse area northeast of Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh and a valley along the Subansiri River both under firm Indian control. It is unclear whether India has agreed to these proposals as part of the arrangement.
India and China have so far held 21 rounds of military commander-level talks, alongside numerous meetings of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on border affairs.