India-China disengagement begins at LAC, temporary tents removed

Mangalore Today News Network

Jammu & Kashmir, October 25, 2024: Disengagement at the Line of Actual Control has started under an agreement between India and China to end the nearly four-year military standoff in eastern Ladakh. Some temporary tents from Depsang and Demchok — the remaining friction points in the border dispute — were removed by both countries, defence sources told CNN-News18.

Two years ago, India and China had disengaged at four different locations where buffer zones had been created. According to the sources, local commanders are dealing with the current disengagement as per broad terms decided at a senior level.

The sources further said the whole process will take time but it has already been initiated. It began soon after the announcement of the pact, with local commanders meeting the next day, they said.

They said the troops removing their tents, however, does not mean they are pulling back. As soon as the temporary structures, which are blocking the way, are removed patrolling will begin, they added.

Sources with defence said nearly 40 per cent of temporary structures were removed at both Depsang and Demchok, and the progress was expected to reach 60 per cent by Friday evening. Sources also said that both sides will conduct a joint verification (land and aerial based) after all removals.

On Wednesday (October 23), Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping endorsed this agreement on the margins of the BRICS Summit in Russia. They also issued directions to revive various bilateral dialogue mechanisms, signalling attempts to normalise ties that were hit by the military clash at Galwan in 2020.

Earlier on Thursday, at the Chanakya Defence Dialogue 2024 in New Delhi, Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh spoke about India and China reaching a broad consensus on patrolling and grazing activities in traditional areas. He said the two countries have been involved in talks at diplomatic as well as military levels, and this pact is a “significant development” that underscores the importance of defence dialogue on the global stage.

“…Pursuant to the talks, broad consensus has been achieved to restore the ground situation based on the principles of equal and mutual security. The consensus achieved includes patrolling and grazing to traditional areas. This is the power of engaging in continuous dialogue because sooner or later, solutions will emerge,” he said.

What is the road ahead?

While India’s 3-D strategy – ‘Disengagement, De-escalation, and De-induction’ – provides a framework for resolution, military officials suggest that the current deployment in eastern Ladakh will likely continue through the winter. Although winter conditions naturally reduce patrol frequency in certain areas, both sides traditionally maintain their presence to assert territorial claims.

“There are a number of issues to deal with. We have reached consensus for going back to 2020 positions in Depsang and Demchok, but in other areas where buffer zone strategy is in place, we are still discussing the way out,” said an official aware of the development and situation.

In Depsang, the situation has remained tense since 2020, when Chinese troops erected tents at the Y junction and patrol point 10, blocking Indian access to traditional patrol points PP10, PP11, PP11A, PP12, and PP13. Indian forces responded by establishing counter-positions.

Demchok presents a different set of challenges. Chinese forces increased their tent presence in the area after 2020, establishing positions along the stream that obstructed Indian patrols. Indian forces maintain corresponding positions.

Under the new agreement, both sides are expected to withdraw to their previous positions and resume traditional patrolling patterns with improved coordination. The agreement, while promising, represents just the first step in a complex process of normalising relations along the disputed border.