China’s confirmation on October 22, 2024, of an agreement to resolve its four-year military standoff with India marks a significant moment for bilateral relations. The announcement, following Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri’s statement a day earlier, signals a breakthrough in a strained relationship since the April 2020 transgressions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). These incursions, followed by the tragic Galwan Valley clashes that claimed the lives of 20 Indian soldiers, had brought diplomatic ties to a standstill. While both countries managed disengagement at key friction points, the mistrust, particularly over China’s willingness to revert to the “status quo ante,” has lingered.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s assertion that China has agreed to restore troop positions to pre-2020 levels is a welcome development, but it requires verification. If true, this could be a crucial step towards rebuilding trust between the two nations. The timing of the agreement, ahead of the BRICS Summit in Russia, opens the possibility of a formal interaction between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping—an opportunity to rekindle dialogue, something absent since their last one-on-one meetings before 2020. However, the Indian government must proceed with caution.
Transparency in the execution of the next steps, as referenced by Misri, is essential to address the domestic perception that Chinese troops may still control areas previously patrolled by Indian soldiers. The government’s reluctance to fully brief Parliament or grant media access to forward areas has compounded suspicions. Lessons from past engagements, such as the post-Doklam scenario, must guide a measured response. Both nations should also revisit their existing border management frameworks to see if they remain viable for maintaining peace. Only a cautious and informed approach will ensure lasting stability along the LAC of the two countries.
