The US has stated that it is “closely monitoring” the developments regarding the India-China LAC agreement and “welcomes any efforts to reduce tensions” along the border.
These comments were made by State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller during a media briefing on Tuesday.
“We’re closely monitoring the situation. We understand that both nations have begun initial troop withdrawals from friction points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). We welcome any reduction in tensions along the border,” Miller said in response to a question about the India-China patrolling agreement.
When asked if the US had any involvement in resolving the military standoff between the two countries, he replied, “No, we have engaged with our Indian partners and received briefings, but we did not play a role in this resolution.”
Earlier on Tuesday, it was reported that troops from both countries have dismantled temporary structures in the Depsang plains and Demchok areas of eastern Ladakh.
“Troops on both sides have been withdrawn to rear locations as part of the disengagement process. Patrolling, which will reach points that have been inaccessible since April 2020, will be conducted by small groups of about 10 to 15 soldiers,” the IANS reported quoting sources.
India and China have been engaged in a tense military standoff along the LAC since June 2020, following clashes in the Galwan Valley that resulted in casualties for both nations.
The LAC patrolling agreement was announced just prior to the 16th BRICS Summit, which took place in Kazan, Russia, from October 22 to 24, and was attended by Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping of China.
