In a welcome development along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), Indian and Chinese troops celebrated Diwali by exchanging sweets at several border locations just a day after completing disengagement at key friction points. According to PTI, these gestures took place at five designated Border Personnel Meeting (BPM) points, marking a return to some level of normalcy along the LAC in eastern Ladakh, where tensions have been high since 2020.
The latest disengagement effort involved the removal of temporary structures and troop withdrawal at hotspots like the Depsang Plains and Demchok. Both Indian and Chinese forces are working together to verify the process, utilizing both physical checks and drones to ensure that all required measures are met. This recent move sets the stage for resumed patrolling in previously restricted areas, representing a significant step forward in reducing tensions and restoring bilateral trust.
It was a very beautiful sight to see
— Bibhuti sharan (@BibhutiSharan9) October 31, 2024
Good Gesture 🙌 by the INDIAN & CHINESE ARMY
— Vijay Singh (@VijaySikriwal) October 31, 2024
Big salute to all the bravehearts. As Jaishankar said, it’s the Indian Armed Force’s determination which led to a big country like China to relent.
— Raghav (@Vespid_) October 31, 2024
Recently Modi’s warm meeting with Xi Jinping and now this courtesy meeting between Indian and Chinese army is enough to burn the ass of America and America’s Nazayaz Awlaad Pakistan. Indian diplomacy is at its peak.🔥
— 𝙈𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙨𝙝 (@06_Dec_1992) October 31, 2024
This recent agreement on disengagement comes after over three years of military buildup and standoffs, initiated by Chinese incursions into the Galwan Valley in May 2020. The standoff severely impacted India-China relations, leading to restricted access for Indian patrols in regions like Depsang and Demchok, where China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) had cut off patrol access at several points. As part of ongoing diplomatic efforts, India and China reached a new patrolling arrangement on October 21, with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirming the breakthrough. This arrangement also sets the stage for a potential meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping at the upcoming BRICS Summit in Russia.
Both sides have expressed cautious optimism about the recent developments, with China confirming that the disengagement efforts are “going smoothly.” This step forward demonstrates that, while challenges remain, diplomatic efforts are beginning to yield results in the sensitive border regions.
