China confirmed an agreement to resolve a four-year military standoff with India, as announced by Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.
The standoff began in April 2020 with Chinese troop movements along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), leading to clashes, including the deadly Galwan incident in June 2020.
India’s External Affairs Minister stated that China agreed to return troops to pre-2020 positions, which would be a positive step if confirmed.
The agreement includes discussions on new “patrolling arrangements” in border areas.
The announcement precedes the BRICS Summit in Russia, where Indian Prime Minister Modi and Chinese President Xi are expected to meet.
Despite political tensions, trade between India and China remains strong, but other areas like travel and investment have been impacted.
The Indian government must ensure transparency in implementing the agreement to build trust, addressing concerns about Chinese troop presence.
Past experiences, such as the 2017 Doklam disengagement, highlight the importance of caution and avoiding premature declarations of success.
Both sides should discuss the relevance of the 1993 Border Peace and Tranquillity Agreement and the 2013 Border Defence Cooperation Agreement in light of the current situation.
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