Tensions along the India-China border over the past four years are slowly coming to an end. Two days ago, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held bilateral talks in Kazan, Russia, on the sidelines of the BRICS summit, and the repercussions are now being felt across the border as well. During this period, India emphasized the proper resolution of mutual disputes and differences.
Following the agreement and Modi’s meeting four days ago, disengagement, or troop withdrawal, began along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh. Local commanders in Depsang and Demchok are monitoring the disengagement situation. Meanwhile, significant developments have taken place in Demchok, with five tents on either side having been demolished so far. This process is still going on.
By Thursday evening, almost half the work was complete. Once all tents and temporary structures have been completely dismantled, the joint verification process will begin. Verification will be carried out through ground and aerial surveys, but the current operation is based on mutual trust between the two parties.
Soldiers from both countries are retreating
In Demchok, the Indian army was retreating to the west side of the Chating River, while the Chinese army was retreating to the east side of the Chating River. About 10 to 12 temporary buildings and about 12 tents have been erected on both sides and are ready to be dismantled.
In Depsang, on the other hand, the Chinese troops had no tents but they built makeshift shelters using tarps between vehicles. So far, half of the buildings in Depsang have been demolished. The Chinese army reduced the number of vehicles in the area and the Indian army also reduced some soldiers from there.
The 22nd round of talks will begin after the structure is demolished
Let us tell you that every morning, local military commanders from both countries call the hotline to discuss the plan of action for the day. They meet once or twice a day at a fixed location. Discussions on the four buffer zones, including Galwan, are yet to take place. Corps commander-level talks will focus on the resumption of buffer zone patrols once patrols resume in Demchok and Depsang and confidence is established.
The 22nd round of corps commander-level talks is expected to be held after temporary structures in Demchok and Depsang plains are completely dismantled and patrols resume. No date has been set for these high-level discussions.
