India, China To Complete Military Disengagement At LAC By Oct 28-29: Report

In a significant step toward restoring normalcy along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and improving diplomatic relations, India and China are set to complete military disengagement in Eastern Ladakh by October 28-29, ANI reported citing defence sources.

The Indian Army and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) have been at odds in the region since a skirmish broke out between the two countries in 2020. After several rounds of military and diplomatic talks, both countries will resume patrolling in the area following the disengagement process. Temporary structures erected during the standoff will also be dismantled, PTI reported citing army sources.

“The latest agreements will be applicable only for Depsang and Demchok and not for other places. This agreement will not be applicable to other friction zones. Troops from both sides will fall back to positions they held pre-April 2020, and they will patrol areas where they patrolled till April 2020,” sources in the army were quoted as saying by ANI.

“Regular ground commanders meetings will continue to be held. A particulate strength of troops in the patrols has been identified and inform each other when we are going to patrol to avoid any 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,” the sources added.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that while it will take time to build trust between the two nations, the disengagement is significant. He said that the military disengagement at the two friction points is the first step, and de-escalation of the tensions is next.

“The situation in the border has been very disturbed and that’s had a very negative impact on the overall relationship,” Jaishankar said.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has emphasised that the improved relations between the two countries are the result of constant dialogue. 

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