After years of tension, India and China held a summit at the BRICS meeting in Kazan on October 23, 2024, signaling a thaw.
Soldiers from both sides exchanged sweets at the Line of Actual Control (LAC), suggesting a willingness to move past recent conflicts.
Disengagement at Depsang and Demchok is complete, but full troop de-escalation along the LAC is still to be finalized.
Details on new "patrolling arrangements" remain unclear.
The lack of transparency from India’s government about agreements, such as granting People’s Liberation Army (PLA) access at Yangtse, Arunachal Pradesh, raises concerns and mistrust about long-term stability.
Four main theories explain China’s 2020 military moves:
Expansionist Policy: China’s goal to assert control over all its claimed territory.
China’s response to India’s growing ties with the U.S.
Security Concerns: China’s reaction to India’s infrastructure development along the LAC, especially in Ladakh.
China’s moves could have been a reaction to India’s 2019 changes in Jammu and Kashmir.
Challenges Ahead
The reasons behind China’s 2020 troop build-up remain unclear.
After the 2017 Doklam crisis, China expanded its infrastructure in contested areas. India must avoid a repeat at the LAC.
India must clarify future agreements with China to maintain public trust and border stability.
India has also engaged in diplomatic efforts with Pakistan and resolved issues in Jammu and Kashmir, which could impact relations with China.
India needs a clear strategy for managing border issues and must engage citizens in discussions about long-term security.
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