India and China are in the final stages of disengagement at hot spots in Ladakh
India and China are in the final stages of disengagement at hot spots in Ladakh, with troops from both countries withdrawing from Depsang and Demchok. This move comes after a prolonged military standoff that had escalated tensions. The disengagement process involves joint verification of the pullback of troops and equipment to a pre-determined and mutually agreed distance from the face-off sites. The Indian Army and the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) have mutually retracted their forces and equipment from the contested areas along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Temporary structures that had been erected during the standoff in May 2020 have also been dismantled as part of this process, according to sources familiar with the situation. "The disengagement process is nearly complete, with final verification underway as per the agreement between India and China on October 21 to de-escalate border tensions," stated a source. This milestone signifies progress for the Indian Army and PLA in overcoming a two-year stalemate in negotiations to address differences and resolve outstanding issues along the LAC. The fourth and final round of disengagement at Patrolling Point-15 in the Gogra-Hot Springs area occurred in September 2022, leading to subsequent deadlock in talks."
According to Lieutenant General Vinod Bhatia (retd), a former director general of military operations, the disengagement at Depsang and Demchok will enable coordinated patrolling by both sides at the agreed upon frequency and strength of patrolling parties.
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