Following the agreement on Monday to ease tensions between India and China on the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the soldiers of both nations have begun withdrawing. Reports have indicated that the two military forces positioned across from each other at Depsang and Demchok locations in eastern Ladakh began withdrawing on Tuesday, following the agreement made the day before.
The process will finish by 28-29 October, prior to Diwali, and patrolling will resume by 31 October as usual. On Monday, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced that a resolution has been reached to address post-2020 issues and patrols along the India-China border. Both nations will move forward with this.
India and China have reached a deal on Depsang and Demchok areas in eastern Ladakh. The temporary tents and sheds are being taken down by the soldiers of both countries at this location. Armored vehicles and military gear are currently being removed as well. The conditions will return to how they were before April 2020 at these two locations. Patrols will commence following the departure of the military forces. Other areas will stay unchanged aside from these two points.
In eastern Ladakh, there exist seven points where there is a confrontational situation with China. These locations, including Patrolling Point 14 (Galwan), 15 (Hot Spring), 17A (Gogra), the north and south ends of Pangong Lake, Depsang Plain, and Charding Nala in Demchok, are experiencing unrest.
Following a military exercise in April 2020, China proceeded to intrude into six locations in eastern Ladakh. The Chinese army pulled out of four regions by the year 2022. The Indian Army was being prevented from patrolling Daulat Beg Oldi and Demchok.
Prior to April 2020, numerous Chinese soldiers assembled at the border for military drills. As a response, the Indian Army was also sent out. In June 2020, there was a violent confrontation between Chinese troops and Indian troops in Galwan.
After multiple discussions, a deal was made in September 2022 to move the army back to Gogra and Hot Spring, leading to the retreat of the Chinese army from the area. After that, Depsang and Demchok, two crucial points, were abandoned. Agreement on disengagement was reached by them on 21 October.
Troops pulled out from Pangong area, specifically Finger area and Galwan’s Patrolling Point (PP)-14, two years ago. Troops pulled back from PP-17 in Gogra and then from PP-15 in the Hot Spring region. Buffer zones have been established in this area currently. Discussions are currently taking place to resume patrols in this area.