India has achieved a significant diplomatic and military victory by getting China to agree to return to the 2020 patrolling agreements along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh. This agreement follows years of China’s resistance to India’s status quo demand after the 2020 Galwan clashes. The deal also sets the stage for improved ties between the two nations.

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• The agreement was reached after 17 working mechanism meetings and 21 military dialogues.
• Indian troops can now resume patrolling in the Depsang and Demchok regions.
• Disputes in Gogra-Hot Springs, Pangong Lake, and Galwan Valley have already been resolved.
• China had resisted discussing the strategically important Depsang Plains and Demchok until last year.
• The Depsang Plains are crucial due to their proximity to the Daulat Beg Oldie post.
• Patrolling will revert to the situation before the Galwan clashes in 2020.
• China’s incursion into 15 km of Indian-patrolled areas had raised serious security concerns.
• The agreement may pave the way for resuming direct flights between India and China.
• Improved political and trade relations between the two countries are likely.
• The deal could resolve long-standing border disputes, including differing views of the LAC.