India and China came to an agreement on patrolling in the area of Ladakh on 21 October 2024.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has announced that patrolling has started in eastern Ladakh along the LAC following the disengagement agreement between India and China, which was last held on 21 October 2024. Many temporary structures surveillance has been loosened to allow Indian troops to access key patrolling points from which Chinese forces blocked them in recent years. This development signals a gradual move toward normalcy along one of the most contested borders in the world.

Military Standoff and the 2020 Galwan Clash
During the 2020 standoff, India deployed nearly 68,000 troops, 90 tanks, and 330 BMP infantry combat vehicles, supported by radar systems, artillery guns, and other critical equipment. The Indian Air Force (IAF) also positioned fighters, attack helicopters, and surveillance aircraft to secure the region.

The violent clash in the Galwan Valley in June 2020, which claimed the lives of 20 Indian soldiers and an estimated 40 Chinese troops, marked a turning point in bilateral relations. In response, the Indian government granted emergency financial powers of Rs 500 crore per procurement project to strengthen weapons and ammunition reserves, signaling its preparedness for prolonged confrontation.

Diplomatic Engagement at the BRICS Summit
At the 2024 BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met on the sidelines to discuss border management and future cooperation. On October 23, just two days after India announced the patrolling pact, both leaders expressed optimism that the new agreement would pave the way for disengagement and de-escalation along the LAC.

Their interaction at the summit underscored the willingness of both nations to prioritize dialogue over conflict and seek gradual normalization of military activity in the region.