Disengagement in Ladakh along India-China border to conclude by Oct 29: Report

As per sources, patrolling will begin at two friction points at Demchok and Depsang Plains in eastern Ladakh, once the disengagement is completed. Both sides will also move their respective troops and dismantle temporary structures.

In Short

• Agreement covers only Demchok and Depsang Plains
• Patrolling to resume post disengagement completion
• PM Modi and President Xi endorsed the agreement

After a key agreement between India and China, the two countries have begun troop disengagement at the two friction points in eastern Ladakh's Demchok and Depsang Plains and this process is likely to be completed by October 28-29.

The agreement was arrived at only for these two friction points, and "talks are still underway" for other areas, news agency PTI reported, citing Army sources.

The sources added that patrolling will begin at these points once the disengagement that began two days back is completed and both sides will move their respective troops and dismantle temporary structures.

India, on October 21, announced that it reached an agreement with China on patrolling along the LAC, marking a breakthrough in ending the over four-year-long military standoff, which began following the deadly clashes between the troops of both countries in June 2020 in Galwan.

The areas and patrolling status are expected to be moved back to the pre-April 2020 level after the disengagement process.

The patrolling will be done by armed personnel and structures will be dismantled, including temporary sheds and tents, after the disengagement, a source was quoted by PTI as saying.

The process follows the agreement firmed up between the two countries on patrolling and disengagement of troops along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, a major breakthrough to end the over four-year standoff.

The agreement framework was "signed" first at the diplomatic level and then military-level talks took place, the Army sources said, adding the nitty-gritty of the agreement was worked in the Corps Commander-level talks, which was "signed on Monday", the source added.

Adhering to agreements between the two sides, Indian troops have begun to pull back equipment to rear locations in these areas.

It was not immediately known if there will be an act of symbolism to mark the completion of the disengagement at these two friction points as major unresolved issues persist in these two places.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and China President Xi Jinping endorsed the agreement on patrolling and disengagement along the LAC in eastern Ladakh during their bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Kazan in Russia.

Meanwhile, in Udhampur, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command, Lt Gen M V Suchindra Kumar said military and diplomatic talks have led to an agreement on patrolling along the LAC in the India-China border areas, facilitating disengagement and resolution of issues that arose in 2020.

He said the consensus reached during these talks also include access to patrolling and grazing in traditional areas.

"At the same time, you must be aware that Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, in his statement on October 21, mentioned that over the past several weeks, Indian and Chinese diplomatic and military negotiators have been in close contact across various forums," Kumar said, responding to a question on the disengagement of troops.

"Following these talks, a broad consensus has been achieved to restore the situation on the ground, based on the principles of equal and mutual security. This consensus includes restoring access for patrolling and grazing in traditional areas," he said.