Many Indian soldiers were pushed or pelted from these heights, leading to their deaths in avalanches.

India and China have made a significant breakthrough in their ongoing border dispute by reaching an agreement to patrol the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Ladakh region. This deal is seen as a positive development that not only aims to reduce the military standoff, which has persisted for the past four years but also has the potential to enhance cooperation in other aspects of bilateral relations. Under the agreement, forces from both countries will pull back from critical areas in the Dapsang plains and the Damchok mountain region by the end of 2024.

In 2020, tensions escalated when Chinese forces crossed the LAC in Ladakh at several locations, including Dapsang, Galwan, and Gogra, preventing Indian troops from patrolling in these areas. A deadly clash in the Galwan Valley resulted in the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers, including a colonel. Although China initially reported only four casualties, later reports from Chinese media suggested the number was higher. As per the 15-year-old bilateral agreement, border patrols were carried out without firearms, relying on baton-wielding soldiers from both sides.

The high casualty rate for Indian soldiers in Galwan was due to the tactical advantage held by Chinese troops, who were positioned on higher ground. Many Indian soldiers were pushed or pelted from these heights, leading to their deaths in avalanches. Since then, the Indian military has taken steps to prevent a recurrence, including securing key positions in the Damchok Hills to block Chinese patrols.

Both nations have paid a steep price for the prolonged standoff, maintaining over 50,000 soldiers along the 280-kilometer front line, even through the harsh winters in the high-altitude region. The new agreement aims to reduce troop levels, allowing Indian forces to resume unhindered patrols in the Dapsang plains and along the Charding Canal in the Damchok area, while reducing the financial and logistical burden on both sides.

Additionally, both India and China have agreed to avoid encroaching on each other’s territories in sensitive areas, such as Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh. This mutual understanding is expected to ease tensions further.

The timing of the agreement coincides with the upcoming BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, where both Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping will be in attendance. The deal opens the door for an informal meeting between the two leaders, potentially resolving other lingering issues in the bilateral relationship. 

While this progress is welcomed, experts caution India to remain vigilant. China's diplomacy is driven by its own strategic interests, and India must ensure that the agreements are fully implemented before letting its guard down.