India-China Agreement on LAC Patrolling

On 21st October, 2024, India and China reached a new agreement regarding the ongoing military standoff at two key areas along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh.

Despite this, the moratorium on patrolling in other contested areas like the Galwan Valley remains intact.

Key Points

Limited Scope of New Agreement: The new agreement focuses only on Depsang and Demchok, the last unresolved points along the LAC. Previous disengagement agreements for other areas remain unchanged.
No Change in Patrolling: Patrolling moratoriums agreed upon in previous disengagements for areas like Galwan Valley, Pangong Tso, Gogra, and Hot Springs remain.
The new accord does not end the existing limitations on Indian Army patrols in these regions.
Restoration to 2020 Status in Key Areas: In the areas covered by the new agreement, including Depsang and Demchok, Indian Army patrols and grazing rights for local communities will revert to pre-2020 conditions.
Prolonged Standoff: The military standoff between the Indian Army and Chinese PLA began in April-May 2020.
While both sides disengaged from some points by 2022, tensions remained unresolved in Depsang and Demchok until this latest agreement.
Diplomatic Efforts Continue: The agreement sets the stage for a formal bilateral meeting between Indian Prime Minister and Chinese President, to take place on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Russia.