New Delhi : India and China have almost completed disengagement from the two remaining face-off sites at Demchok and Depsang in eastern Ladakh. In this, the armies of both the countries have almost returned to the situation before April 2020 after removing their temporary posts, sheds, tents and other structures built in both the areas. After this, the plan is to completely verify the mutual withdrawal in the next two days on the ground as well as through unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Our associate newspaper Times of India has quoted top Defense Establishment sources as saying. That some verification has already started. After this, joint patrolling will be done from both the sides. The strength of the patrol will depend on the task assigned to them as well as the distance to be covered. A source said short range patrols consist of 10-15 soldiers, while long range patrols consist of 20-25 soldiers.
Disengagement and verification on LAC almost complete, know when the armies of India and China will go out on patrolling.
Access to traditional patrolling point
India says our troops should now have full and unrestricted access to our traditional patrolling points (PPs), where our troops were earlier being prevented from going. PLA will inform India before sending its patrol. It is noteworthy that under the ‘patrolling arrangement’ for Depsang-Demchok, which was announced by India on October 21 after diplomatic and military talks, paving the way for the Modi-Xi meeting on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Russia two days later. Did. Meanwhile, sources also said that talks are underway to de-escalate the situation in ‘sensitive’ areas like Yangtse, Asaphila and Subansiri river valleys in Arunachal Pradesh
what will happen next now
40% tents and infrastructure were removed from both sides in Demchok and Depsang on LAC.
It will take time to resolve the border dispute
However, this does not mean that the ongoing border standoff with China, which began after several PLA incursions into eastern Ladakh in April-May 2020, is anywhere close to being resolved. For this to happen, China would have to agree to reduce tensions along the 3,488-km Line of Actual Control (LAC) stretching from eastern Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh. Also, both sides will have to withdraw more than 1,00,000 of their troops, who have been deployed on the front lines along the entire border.
China was stopping Indian soldiers
‘Full confirmation’ of the Depsang-Demchok disengagement will take two days as Indian strategic ‘commanders’ will visit some PPs to check whether all ‘PLA obstructions’ have been removed. The source said that at some places, it takes six to eight hours to reach our PP. In the strategically located Depsang plains, facing the important Daulat Beg Oldie and Karakoram Pass in the north, Chinese troops have withdrawn from their positions on the ‘east’ side of the ‘bottleneck’ area, while Indian troops have retreated from their positions on the ‘west’ side. Have retreated from. The PLA was till now actively blocking Indian troops in the Bottleneck area, which is about 18 km inside what India considers its territory.
Now shepherds will be able to graze animals
Similarly, Indian troops will now have access to two PPs at the Charding Ninglung Nala Track Junction near Demchok in the south, while Indian pastoralists will also be able to take their animals to traditional pastures there. The Depsang-Demchok agreement does not include the creation of a no-petrol buffer zone until September 2022 that came after the earlier disengagement. The rival military officials are separately discussing restoration of patrolling rights in the buffer zones in Galwan, the north bank of Pangong Tso, the Kailash Range and the larger Gogra-Hot Springs area, which vary from 3 km to 10 km. It came largely in the area that India considers its territory.
Interview: Time.news Editor with Defense Expert Dr. Ramesh Dutta on India-China Disengagement in Ladakh
Time.news Editor (TNE): Good day, Dr. Dutta, and thank you for joining us. We have some significant developments regarding the disengagement of Indian and Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh. Can you give us an overview of what’s currently happening?
Dr. Ramesh Dutta (RD): Thank you for having me. Indeed, the disengagement process at Demchok and Depsang is a pivotal step forward. Both Indian and Chinese armies are nearly back to the pre-April 2020 situation, having removed temporary structures like posts and tents. This was a critical phase as it involved the coordination of military logistics and ground verification of the withdrawal.
TNE: It sounds like a painstaking process. How are these verifications being conducted, and why are they important?
RD: Verification is crucial for ensuring that both sides honor their commitments. It’s being conducted through a combination of on-ground checks and the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for comprehensive surveillance. This will help build trust and provide transparency during a time when relations are still quite fragile.
TNE: After this verification, what’s the next step in this disengagement process?
RD: Once verification is complete, the focus will shift to joint patrolling. The format of these patrols will depend on both the distance and the objectives assigned to them. Smaller teams of 10-15 soldiers will handle short-range missions, while larger contingents of 20-25 soldiers will undertake longer excursions. This not only maintains peace but also reinforces operational readiness.
TNE: Interesting. There’s mention of “traditional patrolling points.” Why is unrestricted access to these points significant for India?
RD: Full access to traditional patrolling points is critical as it restores India’s historical rights along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). This access not only boosts morale but is also necessary to prevent any future encroachments on those areas. Furthermore, it places accountability on the Chinese side, as they will need to inform India before sending their own patrols, a mutual understanding designed to reduce tensions.
TNE: That’s an important dynamic. However, it seems like the border situation, particularly since the encroachments began in 2020, isn’t fully resolved. What’s the outlook on the broader border dispute?
RD: Correct. While the current disengagement improves the situation at these two specific sites, the larger border dispute remains complex. Both nations have over 100,000 troops stationed along the roughly 3,488-km LAC. Effective resolution will require China to agree to significant de-escalation measures across various sensitive areas, including Arunachal Pradesh. The dialogue between military officials is essential, especially regarding restoring patrolling rights in the buffer zone established during previous standoffs.
TNE: And you mentioned sensitive areas like Yangtse and Subansiri valley—what’s being done to mitigate tensions in these regions?
RD: Ongoing discussions are focused on normalizing situations in these areas. Both sides are aware of the volatile nature of these zones after the incidents of April-May 2020 and are keen to avoid any escalation. Diplomatic and military channels are actively working together to ensure that any potential flashpoints are addressed before they escalate.
TNE: It surely is a delicate balance. Do you think we are on the path to a long-term resolution, or will this be an ongoing challenge?
RD: While this disengagement is a step forward, achieving a long-term resolution will take time and require sustained diplomatic efforts. Both countries have historical grievances and strategic interests at stake. It’s crucial that both sides remain committed to dialogue and de-escalation to prevent further tensions.
TNE: Thank you for your insights, Dr. Dutta. It seems we are observing a nuanced and compelling phase in India-China relations that requires careful monitoring.
RD: Absolutely. Thank you for the opportunity to discuss this critical issue. It’s a complex situation that will need to be navigated with caution and diplomacy.
TNE: Thank you once again for your time, Dr. Dutta. We’ll continue to follow these developments closely.