Leh, Ladakh, India: Indian and Chinese troops have initiated a phased disengagement process at the Depsang and Demchok sectors in eastern Ladakh. As per the agreements established between the two nations, Indian forces have commenced the withdrawal of equipment to rear locations in these areas, according to defense officials.
On October 21, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced that a significant agreement has been reached regarding patrolling arrangements along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the India-China border region.
During a special briefing on Prime Minister Modi’s recent visit to Russia, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stated, “This agreement is the outcome of extensive discussions over the past several weeks with Chinese interlocutors at both diplomatic and military levels.” He emphasized that military commanders have been actively engaged in negotiations aimed at resolving the tensions that have persisted since 2020.
Misri underscored that the agreement signifies a pathway towards disengagement and a potential resolution of the issues stemming from the significant confrontations in 2020. He specifically recalled the clashes between the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China and the Indian Army, particularly highlighting the violent encounters in June 2020 that resulted in casualties on both sides.
“This agreement marks a critical step in stabilising relations between India and China as both nations seek to manage their border disputes and prevent further military confrontations,” he noted.
“On several areas along the Line of Actual Control, we held discussions with Chinese interlocutors both at the diplomatic as well as military levels through meetings with military commanders at various levels. These discussions had in the past resulted in the resolution of standoffs at various locations. There are some locations and areas where standoffs had not been resolved.”
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“Now, as a result of the discussions over the last several weeks, an agreement has been reached on patrolling arrangements along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the India-China border areas. This is leading to disengagement and eventually a resolution of the issues that arose in these areas in 2020,” he added.
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The agreement marks a crucial step in stabilising relations between India and China, as both countries work towards managing their border disputes and avoiding further military confrontations. Tensions had escalated significantly in early May 2020, when troops from China’s People’s Liberation Army and the Indian Army clashed at various locations along the LAC. The situation deteriorated further during the June 15 face-off in Galwan Valley, which resulted in casualties for both sides. Since then, India and China have engaged in multiple rounds of military talks to resolve the ongoing issues.
