India and China agree to de-escalate border tensions

India and China have reached an agreement on patrolling arrangements along their disputed Himalayan border, aiming to de-escalate tensions in the region. This agreement comes after a fatal confrontation in the Galwan Valley in 2020, the first such incident since 1975. The agreement is seen as a diplomatic breakthrough in the four-year standoff between the two nations, with Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirming the pact. The deal allows for specified patrolling arrangements in the contested border areas, marking a significant step towards resolving the long-standing issue. Notably, this announcement was made shortly before the BRICS summit in Russia, where both Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping were scheduled to attend, fueling speculation about a possible breakthrough in their relations.