The disengagement process between Indian and Chinese troops in the Depang and Demchok areas of eastern Ladakh has been almost completed. Defense Ministry sources told Ajit Tucker that the Indian Army and the People’s Liberation Army of China are currently confirming the withdrawal of personnel and dismantling of military infrastructure from sensitive areas along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
The verification process will be carried out jointly by the two armies and will include confirmation that positions have been evacuated in accordance with agreed terms and facilities have been dismantled. “At the moment, work is being done on a basis of trust,” the source said.
There has been no discussion on the four buffer zones including the Galwan area. Sources said discussions at the corps commander level will decide on the possibility of resuming buffer zone patrols after the successful start of patrols in Demchok and Depsang areas.
Local military commanders from both countries hold daily discussions via hotline every morning to coordinate the day’s action plan. In addition, they hold individual meetings once or twice daily at designated locations to review and adjust protocols.
Let us inform you that this development comes after Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on October 27 said that India and China will soon resume border tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh ahead of the start of the border standoff in April 2020 ) occurred after the patrol. Order will be restored.
Last week, India announced an agreement with China to patrol the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh, a major breakthrough that ended a four-year military standoff in the region. Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, Jaishankar said an agreement had been reached for patrolling and withdrawal of Depsang and Demchok.
He said: “Obviously, implementation will take time. It is a matter of disengagement and patrolling, which means our troops have been very close and now they have returned to base.” The situation will be restored in 2020. ”
However, the foreign minister later said that the successful agreement with China on patrolling the Line of Actual Control does not mean that the issues between the two countries have been resolved.
Speaking at an event in Pune, Jaishankar said, “The latest step (withdrawal) is the agreement reached on October 21 under which we will carry out patrols in Depsang and Demchok. With this, we now “It’s time to think about the next steps. “Not everything has been resolved, but the first phase of the withdrawal has arrived and we have successfully reached it. “
