India, China to complete military disengagement in Depsang & Demchok along Line of Actual Control by Oct 28-29: Report

NEW DELHI: India and China are set to complete military disengagement in certain areas along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) by October 28-29, as per an ANI report citing defence sources.

Patrolling along the LAC will begin once disengagement is complete and both sides have moved troops and dismantled temporary structures, a PTI report said citing Army sources.

This follows a significant agreement reached between the two nations aimed at resolving tensions that have persisted since a violent clash in 2020, which resulted in casualties on both sides.

"The latest agreements will be applicable only for Depsang and Demchok and not for other places. This agreement will not be applicable to other friction zones. Troops from both sides will fall back to positions they held pre-April 2020 and they will patrol areas where they patrolled till April 2020," sources in the Indian Army told ANI.

"Regular ground commanders meetings will continue to be held. A particulate strength of troops in the patrols has been identified and inform each other when we are going to patrol to avoid any miscommunication. All temporary infrastructure like sheds or tents and troops will be removed. The two sides will have surveillance over the area. Patrolling points in the Depsang and Demchok will be the points where we had been patrolling traditionally pre-April 2020," the sources said.

Indian Army sources told ANI there was "no quid pro quo in the talks with China".

"The decisions in the present talks have been taken only for Depsang and Demchok in Eastern Ladakh. Indian Army and Chinese Army to start patrolling up to their respective patrolling points by the end of this month," they added.

The recent border agreement was announced by foreign secretary Vikram Misri, who stated that diplomatic and military negotiations had been ongoing for several weeks. These discussions led to a consensus on patrolling arrangements along the LAC, specifically in critical areas such as Depsang Plains and Demchok.

The agreement is designed to restore patrolling and tradition grazing rights that were in place before May 2020, thereby addressing long-standing border tensions.

Army sources told PTI the agreement framework was first agreed upon at diplomatic level, then military level talks took place.

What the pact entails

• Restoration of Patrols: Both Indian and Chinese troops will resume patrolling in areas where it was previously conducted before May 2020. This includes specific points in Depsang and Demchok, which are strategically significant for both countries.
• Coordination protocols: The two nations have agreed to coordinate their patrols to avoid confrontations. They will share schedules for patrols and maintain a presence of around 14-15 personnel per patrol team to minimise the risk of clashes.
• Disengagement process: Troops have already begun disengaging from two critical friction points, with Indian soldiers pulling back equipment and dismantling temporary structures erected since 2020. The process is intended to be methodical and verified by local commanders.

The agreement marks a significant step towards normalising relations between India and China, which have been strained due to aggressive military posturing from both sides since 2020.

External affairs minister S. Jaishankar emphasised that the situation along the LAC has returned to pre-2020 conditions, suggesting a potential thaw in relations if both sides adhere to the terms of the agreement.

Defence minister Rajnath Singh noted that this advancement underscores the effectiveness of continuous dialogue between the two nations.
(With inputs from agencies)