How will LAC agreement pan out on the border?

The recent agreement between India and China on “patrolling arrangements” along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) is leading to disengagement and resolution of issues in border areas. Disengagement is happening at Depsang and Demchok in Ladakh, with structures being removed by both armies. Talks at various levels led to this agreement, specifically focusing on these two friction points. Patrolling will resume by month-end to prevent face-offs. There is also an understanding regarding Chinese patrols in disputed areas like Yangtse in Arunachal Pradesh. The way forward involves de-escalation, de-induction, and restoring trust to move towards normal patrolling norms. Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi emphasized the importance of restoring trust to progress further. Patrolling is crucial to prevent “Salami Slicing” tactics by the PLA to gradually grab land in disputed areas. The focus is on restoring the pre-2020 ground status at Depsang and Demchok. Since 1996, the PPs have been a trend along the Limit of Patrolling, following the China Study Group guidelines. The traditional grazing grounds used by the semi-nomadic community in the Changthang region have been restricted since 2014 by ISFs, causing tension. The issue of grazing grounds has been a point of conflict between India and China, but a recent agreement in the Demchok area aims to address this. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping have agreed for Special Representatives to meet soon to work towards a resolution on the boundary question.