India and China have initiated the implementation of an agreement aimed at resolving a military standoff on their disputed Himalayan border, marking a significant step towards easing tensions between the two Asian giants. The standoff, which had seen troops stationed at two points on the frontier in India's Ladakh region in the western Himalayas, has begun to de-escalate as troops have started pulling back.
The process of troop withdrawal commenced on Wednesday and is expected to be completed by the end of the month, as confirmed by a senior Indian army official. This development follows a recent deal between the two nations on patrolling the frontier, which paved the way for the first formal talks between President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in five years, held on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Russia.
Both India and China have reported smooth progress in the implementation of the agreed-upon solution, with troops on both sides already withdrawing from the areas of Depsang and Demchok, the last remaining points of confrontation. The returning troops are also dismantling structures and removing vehicles brought to the conflict zones since April 2020, allowing for a return to normal patrolling activities along the border.
The new pact between the two nations, while not publicly disclosed in detail, is expected to not only defuse the current military tensions but also contribute to improving political and business relations that have been strained since the deadly clashes in 2020, resulting in casualties on both sides.
Despite the positive developments, India remains cautious and is proceeding gradually in rebuilding economic ties with China, given the trust deficit that has persisted over the past four years. While discussions are underway to potentially resume direct air links and streamline visa approvals, India is not yet prepared to reverse all the stringent measures it had imposed on Chinese entities, including bans on mobile applications and increased scrutiny on investments.
The history of conflict between India and China over their undemarcated border, dating back to the 1962 war, underscores the significance of the current de-escalation efforts and the potential for improved relations between the two nations.
