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. 24/10/2024 11:08 AM
India-China Border Deal: A Step Towards Stability After Years of Tension
After four years of negotiations, India and China have signed a significant border deal aimed at disengaging troops along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh. The agreement focuses on two critical areas: the Depsang Plains and Demchok, where tensions have been high since 2020, following the deadly Galwan Valley clash.
In June 2020, a violent skirmish in Galwan resulted in the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers and an undisclosed number of Chinese soldiers, intensifying the already strained relationship between the two nations. The dispute over the 3,440 km poorly defined border led to a standoff with heavy military deployments on both sides. Since then, India has maintained that any improvement in relations with China hinges on resolving the border issue.
The new agreement allows both countries to resume patrolling along previously established areas of the LAC. Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri highlighted that the deal came after 31 rounds of diplomatic talks and 21 rounds of military discussions. The key elements of the deal include:
Patrolling Resumption: Indian and Chinese troops can now patrol the disputed areas as they did before June 2020.
Specific Areas of Focus: The agreement specifically targets the Depsang and Demchok regions, critical for both military and water security.
New Patrolling Protocols: Patrolling will take place twice a month with 14-15 soldiers in each patrol.
Coordination: Both nations will coordinate their patrol schedules to avoid conflict.
This deal marks a significant de-escalation along the border, where both sides had ramped up their military presence after the Galwan clash. The agreement is expected to promote stability, though it does not address all underlying tensions.
While the deal is a positive step, certain issues between India and China remain unsolved:
No Normalization of Relations: Direct flights between the two countries have been suspended for four years and remain restricted.
Ban on Chinese Apps: India continues to ban nearly 300 Chinese apps, citing data security concerns.
Expert Skepticism: Experts like Farwa Aamer and Brahma Chellaney note that while the agreement helps ease tensions, it doesn't resolve China's broader strategic ambitions in the region.
The agreement was finalized ahead of a historic meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia. This was their first in-person meeting since the deadly clash in 2020. Both leaders stressed the importance of communication and cooperation to manage their differences and promote regional stability.
Though the border deal is a step towards peace, experts warn that challenges remain, and vigilance is needed to ensure lasting stability in the region.
