'Significant' progress on issues along India-China border in eastern Ladakh: Report

The 2020 clash between Indian and Chinese troops in Galwan Valley overshadowed the relations between the two countries.

India and China have made “significant progress” on various issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, according to Indian Express.

According to the report, the progress includes exploring the options of a possible solution that factors in their respective pre-April 2020 positions and addressing existing issues in Arunachal Pradesh. These decisions may also help the Indian troops as their access to certain patrolling points along the LAC were limited amid the India and China border dispute. These points were blocked either by Chinese troops or due to the implementation of the buffer zones created due to disengagement at specific friction points.

Top officials told Indian Express that the development took place during the latest diplomatic and political level talks between both sides. The delegation for the 31st Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) talks held on August 29 in Beijing, also had representatives from the Indian Army.

The 22nd round of military talks at the Corps Commanders’ level is now expected to be held shortly to chalk out various aspects, including the time frame, of the deployment of troops from either side.

The 2020 clash between Indian and Chinese troops in Galwan Valley overshadowed the relations between the two countries.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday said that both the nations have had a “difficult history” and stated that despite the explicit agreements between both countries, the Chinese troops during the Covid-19 pandemic moved a large number of forces in violation of the agreements to the LAC.

Talking about the ongoing border disputes between both countries, Jaishankar said that 75 percent of the issues have been resolved, however, he clarified that when he only meant “disengagement”.

Addressing the Asia Society at the Asia Society Policy Institute, Jaishankar said, “When I said 75 per cent of it has been sorted out, it’s only the disengagement. So, that’s one part of the problem. Some of the patrolling issues still need to be resolved. The next step will be de-escalation.”

Troops deployed along the LAC continue to be in a state of alert, an official told IE.  According to the officials, the troops are avoiding any confrontation which may create a trust deficit and delay redeployment plans.

Local commanders of both sides on the ground have also reportedly been meeting to avoid clashes. The winter stocking for the 50,000-60,000 additional troops deployed in eastern Ladakh, which is under way this year, will continue and while there may be redeployment of troops on the LAC, de-induction and de-escalation is likely to be a protracted affair, according to IE.