India and China have successfully concluded the first round of joint patrols along the Line of Actual Control in friction-prone areas as part of their recent disengagement agreement. Sources said that the initial round of patrolling concluded in the first week of November, with the next phase scheduled to be taken forward soon in Demchok and Depsang.

Indian and Chinese troops on both sides soon built and then demolished temporary structures established earlier in areas like Demchok and Depsang, the newest contentious zones. It marks a step toward reestablishing trust between the two nations. As a reflection of the better relationship, soldiers from both countries exchanged sweets at different border points during Diwali celebrations.

Has the situation between India and China improved?

Incidents of improvement have emerged in the weeks following the mutual pronouncement of disengagement, as both had agreed to scheduled patrols and troop withdrawal in sensitive areas along the LAC. The disengagement on October 30 was marked as a milestone that completed the initial steps taken towards de-escalating the border situation, which had come about four years after the Galwan Valley confrontation.

Key agreements at the BRICS summit

The disengagement arrangements were formed last month when the foreign secretary, Vikram Misri, officially said that India and China agreed on a joint framework for patrolling. Subsequently, the BRICS Summit in Russia saw Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping endorsing this accord, with indications of a positive shift in diplomatic engagement.

Background on the Galwan Valley clash

Skirmishes at the north bank of Pangong Tso Lake peaked on May 5, 2020; this ended on June 15 in a violent clash at the Galwan Valley, one of the most serious standoffs between India and China in decades.

The tensions began when China objected to India’s infrastructure projects, including a road built in the Galwan River Valley connecting to a key airbase. China saw this road as a challenge to its territorial claims in the area, sparking a standoff between the two countries.

Timeline of the India-China Standoff (2020-2024)

June 2020 – Galwan Valley Clash: The first deadly encounter in 45 years took place in Galwan Valley, leading to the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers and 4 Chinese soldiers.

January 2021 – Sikkim Skirmish: Troops from both sides clashed near the Naku La pass in Sikkim, resulting in injuries on both sides.

September 2021 – Shots Fired Incident: There were reports of gunfire near Pangong Lake, marking a break in the long-standing agreement against using firearms in the area.

Now that the second patrolling round starts this week, there remains hope that these new steps will pave the way for enduring peace on the LAC.