This Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3278, answered on August 8, 2025, by the Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs, addresses disengagement along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) between India and China. Key points include:
* **Disengagement:** An agreement on patrolling arrangements in Depsang and Demchok was reached on October 21, 2024, leading to disengagement, and has been implemented as agreed. Prior disengagement agreements remain in effect in relevant areas of Eastern Ladakh.
* **De-escalation:** De-escalation has been discussed at various levels, including by the External Affairs Minister and Raksha Mantri. Prior to October 2024, the Working Mechanism for Cooperation and Coordination (WMCC) and Senior Highest Military Commanders Meeting (SHMC) mechanism were used to resolve disengagement issues.
* **Bilateral Talks:** In addition to mechanisms addressing boundary issues like the India-China Special Representatives Talks and the WMCC, various meetings have been held to stabilize and rebuild ties, prioritizing people-centric engagements such as the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, direct flight connectivity, transborder rivers, and activities commemorating the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Meetings have occurred between the Prime Minister, Raksha Mantri, External Affairs Minister, National Security Advisor, Foreign Secretary and their Chinese counterparts since last year.
* **Force Presence:** The response does not explicitly state whether the force presence amassed along the LAC since 2020 continues to be maintained.
* **Trade Restrictions:** The issues of restrictive trade measures and roadblocks to economic cooperation have been raised by the External Affairs Minister and Foreign Secretary with their counterparts. Discussions have also occurred at the working level. The specific details of China's response or any resolution achieved are not provided.
Key Entities Referenced
Line of Actual Control: The de facto border between India and China.
India: One of the parties involved in the border dispute and discussions.
China: One of the parties involved in the border dispute and discussions.
Depsang: One of the areas along the India-China border where disengagement agreements were reached.
Demchok: One of the areas along the India-China border where disengagement agreements were reached.
Eastern Ladakh: A region in India where prior disengagement agreements continue to be in effect.
Working Mechanism for Cooperation and Coordination: A mechanism used by India and China to resolve issues of disengagement along the Line of Actual Control.
Senior Highest Military Commanders meeting: A military mechanism used by India and China to resolve issues of disengagement along the Line of Actual Control.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 3278
ANSWERED ON - 08/08/2025
DISENGAGEMENT ALONG LAC BETWEEN INDO-CHINA
†3278. SHRI SHYAMKUMAR DAULAT BARVE
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the disengagement along the LAC between India and China
has been in effect for the last nine months, while de-escalation remains
pending, if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether a new roadmap has been formulated for achieving de-
escalation, if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether any bilateral talks have been held recently between India
and China, if so, the details of the issues on which both sides have a
consensus and the total number of bilateral talks held over the last three
years;
(d) whether the presence of the forces amassed along the LAC since
2020 continues to be maintained, if so, the details thereof; and
1(e) whether the Government has raised the issues of restrictive trade
measures and restrictions on the export of critical minerals by China, if
so, the details of response of resolution has been achieved?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a to e) India and China reached an agreement on patrolling
arrangements along the Line of Actual Control in India-China border
areas in Depsang and Demchok on 21 October 2024, leading to
disengagement. The agreement has since been effected and
implemented as per modalities and timelines agreed. The terms of the
disengagement agreements reached prior to 21 October 2024 continue
to hold in relevant areas in Eastern Ladakh. India and China have
discussed issues related to de-escalation at various levels including that
of External Affairs Minister and Raksha Mantri.
Until October 2024, India and China remained engaged to resolve issues
of disengagement along the LAC through the Working Mechanism for
Cooperation and Coordination (WMCC) and Senior Highest Military
Commanders meeting (SHMC) mechanism. Since the disengagement in
2024, besides mechanisms to address boundary-related issues such as
2the India-China Special Representatives’ Talks and the WMCC, both sides
have held various other meetings to stabilize and rebuild ties, with
priority on people-centric engagements including the Kailash Mansarovar
Yatra, direct flight connectivity, transborder rivers and carried out
activities to commemorate the 75th anniversary of establishment of
diplomatic relations. Since last year, meetings have been held between
the Prime Minister, Raksha Mantri, External Affairs Minister, National
Security Advisor, Foreign Secretary and their Chinese counterparts.
Issues related to restrictive trade measures and roadblocks to economic
cooperation have been raised by External Affairs Minister and Foreign
Secretary with their counterparts. Discussions on these matters have
also been held at the working level.
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