After extensive diplomatic and military negotiations, the Narendra Modi government has secured a breakthrough with the Xi Jinping regime regarding border tensions in East Ladakh. This agreement marks the restoration of India’s patrolling rights in the Depsang Bulge area and Charding Ningling Nullah (CNN) Junction in Demchok, resolving the border dispute that arose in May 2020.
Following 17 rounds of meetings of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC), 21 rounds of military dialogue, and numerous high-level discussions, both sides have agreed to disengage forces at these critical friction points. This is seen as a major victory for the Modi government, particularly since both Depsang and Demchok are significant locations tied to historical tensions dating back to the 1962 India-China war.
The agreement, which is also beneficial to the Chinese PLA, ensures that Chinese patrols will resume in other sectors along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) where they were previously blocked by India. While the specifics of the patrolling agreement remain undisclosed, it is confirmed that both armies have disengaged from the 3,488-kilometer-long LAC, with the next steps being de-escalation and normalization by relocating forward-deployed forces to their respective barracks.
The breakthrough was achieved after confirmation by the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) from both sides, ensuring that the agreement had been implemented in East Ladakh. Buffer zones had already been created at previous friction points such as Galwan, Gogra-Hot Springs, and Pangong Tso, keeping the two heavily deployed armies apart.
The next significant step in the resolution of tensions could come during the BRICS summit in Kazan on October 22-23, where Prime Minister Modi and President Xi are expected to meet. Experts suggest that this could lead to further de-escalation, potentially including the withdrawal of some 200,000 troops, tanks, artillery, and missile regiments deployed along both sides of the LAC, setting the stage for the normalization of India-China relations.
