How will LAC border agreement work?

• Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced an agreement on “patrolling arrangements” with China on October 21, leading to disengagement and resolution of issues in the India-China border areas.
• Disengagement is currently underway at Depsang and Demchok in eastern Ladakh.
• Both countries are removing all temporary and semi-permanent structures set up since April 2020.
• The process is expected to be completed by October 29.
• Patrolling will resume in both areas by month-end and both sides will coordinate to avoid face-offs.
• The agreement was reached after a series of talks at political, diplomatic, and military levels.
• The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has amassed a large number of troops and armaments in eastern Ladakh and other areas along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
• Both sides have amassed over 50,000 troops on each side, deployed a range of long-range firepower and equipment, and undertaken massive infrastructure build-up.
• There was an understanding over Yangtse in Arunachal Pradesh that Chinese patrols will be allowed like before and their movement will not be blocked.
• The agreement brings hope for the next steps, de-escalation and deinduction.
• Details on new patrolling norms will have to be worked out to remove the buffer zones and resume patrolling as earlier.
• The current agreement will restore the ground status to one that existed before April 2020 at Depsang and Demchok.
• The agreement addresses the issue of the number of patrolling points of grazing grounds, which has been a major friction point between India and China.