India and China have struck an agreement to resume military patrols along their disputed border, marking a significant development after a tense stand-off lasting four years. This news came just before Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Russia for the BRICS summit, where he might meet Chinese President Xi Jinping for the first time since 2020.
According to Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, the deal aims to restore peace along the contested frontier in the Ladakh region, which has been a source of tension between the nuclear-armed nations since deadly clashes in 2020.
Military Talks Yield Results
Jaishankar shared at a media conclave that the countries have completed the disengagement process and returned the situation to pre-2020 conditions. “If you disturb the peace and tranquillity, how can the rest of the relationship go forward?” he stated.
Details from military sources reveal that both sides will now patrol agreed points on the border and will also hold monthly review meetings to ensure compliance. This is a notable shift as both countries had previously pulled back tens of thousands of troops to avoid further confrontations.
China Responds Positively
In response to India’s remarks, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian confirmed that Beijing welcomes the resolution. “Recently, China and India have maintained close communication… and we have reached a resolution on relevant issues,” he mentioned in a briefing.
However, he didn’t confirm whether this paves the way for a Modi-Xi meeting during the summit, leaving fans of international diplomacy wondering.
Impact on Trade and Business
The tentative peace is likely to influence trade relations between the two nations. After the 2020 clashes, India tightened scrutiny over Chinese investments, which significantly cooled business ties. The trade deficit with China ballooned to US$85 billion as imports surged by 56%.
Despite the struggles in the business realm, Lin and Jaishankar emphasised that future discussions would aim to enhance economic cooperation now that military tensions have lessened.
Looking Ahead
As tensions ease, there’s hope for a more collaborative approach between the two largest countries in Asia. The upcoming BRICS summit could serve not only as a platform for discussing economic ties but also for rebuilding trust with open dialogues—an essential step towards a lasting resolution.