New Delhi: The disengagement process between Indian and Chinese armies at Depsang and Demchok in the Ladakh region is in its final stages and is likely to be completed by today afternoon. Following this aerial and physical verification will begin, sources told Times Now.
The disengagement at the two sectors began a few days ago after India announced an agreement with China on patrolling along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, ending the over four-year military standoff.
Disengagement mainly involves removing infrastructure and withdrawing troops from both sides.
The border standoff between India and China, which began in 2020 in eastern Ladakh along the LAC, was triggered by Chinese military actions and led to a prolonged strain on bilateral relations. But, ahead of PM Narendra Modi's Kazan visit earlier this month, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced that India and China have reached at an agreement regarding the LAC standoff.
During their 50-minute meeting alongside the BRICS Summit, PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed upon "complete disengagement and resolution" of issues that began in 2020 in eastern Ladakh, which also led to the Galwan clash." The two leaders said that there was a need to "properly handle differences and disputes" to maintain peace.
Patrolling To Resume Soon
As the disengagement process is completed, this will be verified by the two sides. After the cross-verification of the removal of army structures, patrolling will resume, allowing each side to conduct patrols twice a month. Prior to each patrol, both parties will be required to inform one another, sources said.
Each patrolling unit will be limited to a maximum of 14 soldiers, a measure aimed at maintaining peace and minimising tensions in the area. Additionally, senior officials from both sides are set to hold regular flag meetings to strengthen confidence-building measures (CBM) and facilitate ongoing dialogue.