After over four years of negotiations, including 17 rounds of meetings under the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) and 21 rounds of military dialogue, the Indian government has successfully negotiated the restoration of patrolling rights in the Depsang Bulge and Charding Ningling Nullah (CNN) Junction areas of Demchok. This development marks a significant step towards resolving the standoff that began in May 2020 in East Ladakh.
The new patrolling agreement represents a diplomatic achievement for both India and China. While India had previously restricted Chinese patrols in certain areas, this agreement signifies a mutual understanding to disengage forces at key friction points along the 3,488 km Line of Actual Control (LAC). The next phases will focus on de-escalation and the relocation of forward-deployed troops back to their bases.
Although the Indian government has not publicly disclosed all details, sources indicate that the agreement was established after extensive diplomatic discussions, including consultations at the foreign minister and National Security Adviser levels. The final confirmation came from the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) of the Indian Army and his PLA counterpart, validating the agreement’s implementation in East Ladakh.
Following Chinese incursions in 2020, Indian patrols were obstructed in the Depsang Bulge due to heavy PLA troop deployments. Despite the establishment of buffer zones in other areas to maintain distance between the two forces, the resumption of patrolling in both Depsang and Demchok is a notable victory for the Modi administration, with historical significance dating back to the 1962 war.
With Prime Minister Modi and President Xi expected to meet at the BRICS summit on October 22-23, there is optimism that further discussions could lead to the withdrawal of troops along the LAC, paving the way for the normalization of bilateral relations.
