India, China begin implementing border deal, easing tensions in Himalayas
India and China have begun implementing a key agreement to ease their military standoff along the disputed Himalayan border, marking the most notable improvement in relations since deadly clashes in 2020.
Indian troops deployed in two key areas in Ladakh near the western Himalayan border have begun pulling back, signalling the beginning of the end of a tense standoff that has lasted for years. The process, which began on Wednesday, is expected to conclude by the end of the month, according to a senior Indian Army source.
The agreement follows a landmark discussion held earlier in the week. The pact, which focused on mutual patrolling protocols, set the stage for the first formal meeting in five years between President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the BRICS summit in Russia.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian confirmed the smooth implementation of the agreement, saying frontline troops of the two countries are making steady progress in meeting the terms.
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A New Delhi-based official familiar with the situation said troops from both sides have begun pulling back from the areas of Depsang and Demchok, which remained the last points of direct military confrontation. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said troops are also removing structures such as tents and huts, as well as withdrawing vehicles, to bring both sides back to the pre-conflict status quo established before April 2020.
Following this process, the Indian and Chinese armies are expected to resume pre-standoff patrolling exercises along the border.
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The specifics of the agreement remain confidential, but it is widely believed that the move will cement political and trade relations strained by the 2020 Galwan Valley incident, which resulted in the tragic death of 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers.
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