India and China Reach New Agreement on Border Patrolling
In Kazan, Russia, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced a new agreement between India and China regarding patrolling along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). This agreement aims to revert patrolling and grazing activities to the conditions of 2020 in areas still under discussion. Misri emphasized that previous disengagement agreements were not reopened during these talks.
Misri also confirmed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping will meet on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit, following the recent agreement. The Ministry of External Affairs highlighted that this agreement is the result of extensive discussions with Chinese officials at both diplomatic and military levels, addressing tensions that have persisted since 2020.
The agreement is seen as a significant step towards resolving issues from the 2020 confrontations between the Indian and Chinese armies, particularly the violent clashes in June 2020. Misri noted that this marks a critical step in stabilizing relations and managing border disputes to prevent further military confrontations.
Doubts Revealed
Line of Actual Control (LAC) -: The Line of Actual Control (LAC) is a boundary that separates Indian-controlled territory from Chinese-controlled territory. It is not a clearly marked border but rather a line that both countries have agreed to respect. It is important because it helps prevent conflicts between the two countries.
Foreign Secretary -: The Foreign Secretary is a senior official in the Indian government who is responsible for managing India’s foreign relations. Vikram Misri is the person holding this position, and he helps communicate and negotiate with other countries like China.
BRICS Summit -: The BRICS Summit is a meeting where leaders from five countries – Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa – come together to discuss important global issues. It is a platform for these countries to work together and strengthen their relationships.
Disengagement agreements -: Disengagement agreements are arrangements made between countries to reduce military presence and tensions in disputed areas. In this context, it refers to India and China agreeing to pull back their troops from certain areas along the LAC to avoid conflicts.
