India-China Patrolling Pact Paves Way for Possible BRICS Summit Talks

Former Foreign Secretary Harsh V Shringla highlights how the India-China agreement on patrolling in eastern Ladakh could lead to troop de-escalation and facilitate a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping during the BRICS Summit in Russia, easing tensions post-2020 standoff.

Former Foreign Secretary Harsh V Shringla has expressed optimism that the recent agreement reached between India and China over patrolling arrangements along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh will potentially lead to the de-escalation of military tensions. This development also sets the stage for a possible dialogue between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the upcoming BRICS Summit in Russia.

Discussing the matter with ANI, Shringla noted the significance of the negotiations that concluded successfully. The pact aims to scale back troops amassed by China in 2020, thereby paving the path to resolving the outstanding disputes that led to the standoff. The former Foreign Secretary emphasized the importance of de-escalating frontline tensions as a precursor to enhancing diplomatic ties between the two nations.

In anticipation of PM Modi's attendance at the Kazan BRICS Summit, current Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri underscored the importance of the agreement. Misri highlighted that ongoing dialogue with Chinese counterparts through diplomatic and military channels has been pivotal in reaching this resolution. This agreement could mark a stepping stone towards normalizing bilateral relations, which had been severely strained since the events of 2020.

(With inputs from agencies.)