Disengagement begins in Ladakh days after India-China border breakthrough: Sources
Days after India and China reached an agreement to end the standoff between the armies of the two nations in eastern Ladakh.
The disengagement process has begun at the Line of Actual Control (LAC), according to sources. One tent on each side and some temporary structures have been dismantled in the area, with Indian soldiers moving back to the west side of the Charding Nala, while Chinese soldiers are retreating to the east side of the Nala. There are about 10-12 temporary structures and around 12 tents on both sides, which are set to be removed, according to sources.
On Thursday, the Chinese army reduced the number of their vehicles in the area, and the Indian army also withdrew some troops. After this process is completed, patrolling is expected to resume in Depsang and Demchok within the next 4-5 days, sources added.
India, on October 21, announced that it has reached an agreement with China on patrolling along the LAC, marking a major breakthrough in ending the over four-year-long military standoff, which began after troops were engaged in a violent confrontation in Galwan Valley in May 2020.
China also confirmed the deal on the next day, with Beijing saying that a resolution has been reached on “relevant matters” and that it will work with New Delhi to implement these resolutions. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said that, going forward, his country will work with India to implement these resolutions.
As border disengagement is expected to improve strained ties between the two Asian giants, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi, who met on the sidelines of the Brics summit in Kazan, endorsed the agreement. This meeting was followed by directions to revive various bilateral dialogue mechanisms on both sides, signalling attempts to normalise relations.
In the meeting, which was their first in five years, PM Modi underscored the need to not allow differences on boundary-related matters to disturb peace and tranquillity along the border. Xi Jinping also agreed “in principle” to the suggestions made by PM Modi to improve bilateral relations.