India, China reach pact to resolve border conflict

India has announced that it has reached a deal with China on patrolling their shared border ahead of the Brics summit, sparking hope that the uneasy neighbours could lower tensions in their four-year military stand-off and improve ties.

Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri told reporters on Monday that the countries had come to an agreement on patrolling arrangements along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) between India-controlled eastern Ladakh and China-controlled Aksai Chin.

“As a result of the discussions that have taken place over the last several weeks, an agreement has been arrived at on patrolling arrangements along the Line of Actual Control in the India-China border area,” Misri was quoted as saying.

“This is leading to disengagement and eventually a resolution of the issues that had arisen in these areas in 2020.”

Beijing has not immediately confirmed the agreement.

China and India share thousands of kilometres of undetermined border along the Himalayas. An unofficial LAC serves as a loose ceasefire line after the two sides fought a brief border war in 1962 and conflicts have erupted from time to time over the years.
The most serious skirmish broke out on June 15, 2020, in which at least four Chinese and 20 Indian soldiers were killed in cold-weapon combat in the Galwan Valley.

Since then, both sides have deployed armed forces to the frontline. Amid the dispute and friction, Beijing and New Delhi have embarked on marathon talks through diplomatic and military-to-military channels.

The strain has affected economic cooperation and other issues between the world’s two most populous nations.

In particular, New Delhi has tightened restrictions on Chinese investments in India.