The pact to patrol the Line of Actual Control between India and China is a convoluted and more nuanced effort to lay down the principles of demarcation between two countries possessing nuclear power and having a history of strained relations. This one was signed in September 2021; the purpose of the agreement was to minimise contact along the contested border by designating areas through which the border patrols of each country wouldn’t venture into the other side.

On the surface, it looks like the agreement is taken to reduce tensions. The ‘Any effort to prevent violence’ part is after the Galwan Valley killings in 2020, and any effort that can be put into Sino-Indian relations should be welcome. But the actual question is whether such agreements are reliable. China’s history of compliance with previously negotiated arrangements has not been very impressive, particularly since it employs shifts in the status quo to achieve its goals.

India is on the passive watch and understands the implementation of these theories is purely pragmatic. As much as the conflict has been given a short-term reprieve, it does not address the question of the border. The lack of mutual border demarcation persists in generating new chances for confrontation.

Furthermore, the territorial jurisdiction assignment raises a degree of concern or menace and controversy for restraining India from defending areas where it has traditionally policed cruisers. Most say this could subordinate India’s position over time in the Indian Ocean region, which is a key contentious security region globally.

That is why, although a patrolling agreement provides some stability in the equality of rosters, it is far from being a permanent solution. Trust and transparency are required; nevertheless, due to the increased assertiveness of China’s policies, India needs to be ever-ready regarding the changes in reality.