India-China LAC Agreement: Satellite Images Show Disengagement In Depsang, Demchok

Days after the announcement of the disengagement at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) between Indian and Chinese forces, some newly emerged satellite images confirmed the initial disengagement activities in Depsang and Demchok in Eastern Ladakh.

The latest satellite images, released by US-based Maxar Technologies as accessed by India Today, were taken on Friday. The images showed a reduction in structures at multiple locations, signalling a potential end to the prolonged standoff in the high terrains. Images from Friday also highlighted dismantling of structures and shelters.

A view from a different location in Depsang showed that most structures at a military outpost were removed. A comparison with an earlier image of the same location confirmed the removal. In another image, removal of a large shelter was visible in the Depsang area near Patrol Point 10.

According to the sources in the Indian Army, the disengagement process is expected to be completed by October 28-29. Speaking to news agency ANI, the sources noted that the latest agreements apply only to Depsang and Demchok areas, not to other friction zones.

The Indian Army source further stated that a specific strength of troops for the patrols has been identified, and both sides will inform each other of their patrol plans to avoid miscommunication.

“All temporary infrastructure like sheds or tents and troops will be removed. The two sides will have surveillance over the area. Patrolling points in the Depsang and Demchok will be the points where we had been patrolling traditionally pre-April 2020,” he added.

In a major breakthrough, India this week had announced that it had reached an agreement with China on patrolling along the LAC in eastern Ladakh. The agreement is anticipated to ease patrolling in the Depsang and Demchok areas, where major issues remained unresolved.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar stated that Indian and Chinese soldiers will resume patrolling as they did before the 2020 border face-off.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri had on Monday said that the agreement between the two countries was finalised after several weeks of negotiations and would help resolve the issues that arose in 2020.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping also discussed these developments on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Russia, marking their first bilateral meeting since 2019.

Ties between the two Asian giants nosedived following a fierce clash in the Galwan Valley in June 2020, marking the most serious military conflict between them in decades. 

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