India and China have reached a patrolling agreement along their disputed border in the Himalayas, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced on Monday, saying it can lead to disengagement and resolution of a conflict that began in 2020.
The latest development comes on the eve of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Russia for a meeting of the BRICS bloc of developing economies, where he could hold talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines.
India-China ties have been strained since 2020, following deadly clashes on their de facto Himalayan border known as the Line of Actual Control.
Both countries have since deployed thousands of troops to the area and downscaled engagements, while their officials have engaged in multiple talks aiming to resolve the standoff.
Speaking at a press conference in New Delhi, Misri said, “As a result of these discussions, agreement has been arrived at on patrolling arrangements along the Line of Actual Control in the India-China border areas, leading to disengagement and a resolution of the issues that had arisen in these areas in 2020,” he added, without providing more details.
India and China have been unable to agree on their 3,500-km border since they fought a war in 1962.
Back in July, India’s Foreign Minister, S. Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi had met to try and resolve their border issues.
India’s Foreign Ministry has yet to confirm plans for bilateral talks on the sideline of BRICS and said it is still “looking into” Modi’s final agenda in Russia.
