The disengagement between India and China from the two remaining face-off sites – Depsang and Demchok – in eastern Ladakh is nearly complete, with the Chinese troops inching backward to their pre-April 2020 positions.
Defence sources told CNN News18 that the verification from both the sides are expected to be completed by October 30, while the first patrol is likely to take place on or before October 31, which will also mark as the final verification of the structure removals.
“The basic verification will be completed by Tuesday or Wednesday. Indian troops will go for patrolling at all their traditional patrol points as they used to do. However, this time, there will be no face-offs,” an official familiar with the development was quoted as saying by CNN News18.
The Indian Army has been planning to launch its patrols in Depsang and Demchok with advance notice being given to China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to prevent the possibility of any face-off or clash.
Fully verify mutual pullback
A report by Times of India (ToI) quoted a top defence establishment source as confirming that the plan now is to fully verify the mutual pullback, both physically on the ground as well as through unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
“Some verification has already begun,” the source to ToI said.
Last Monday (October 21) Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri revealed that India and China have agreed on the disengagement at the LAC after four-and-half years of standoff between the troops of both the sides.
After the revelation, the reports of the removal of structures picked up pace with ground troops observing the progress. Almost all the structures and vehicles have been cleared. Simultaneously, a verification process is also being carried out to ensure that everything is coordinated closely.
‘Patrolling strength depends on task, distance’
Defence sources told CNN News18 that both India and China have agreed to the proposed arrangements and special emphasis has been on the design and frequency of patrols. Soon after the local commanders are confident that patrolling can resume, these arrangements will be implemented on the ground.
“The strength of the patrolling depends on the task and distance. This time also it is the same. However, both sides will inform each other before going on patrol and this will ensure smooth patrolling,” the source said.
“The shorter-range patrols have 10-15 soldiers, while the longer ones 20-25. Our troops should now get full and unrestricted access to traditional patrolling points (PPs), where our soldiers were being blocked from going to earlier,” a source was quoted as saying by ToI.
China to inform India before sending out its patrols
The Chinese Army will also inform India before its makes a decision on sending out its patrols, under the “patrolling arrangements” for Depsang-Demchok.
The “patrolling arrangements” for Depsang-Demchok was first announced by India on October 21 after a number of lengthy of diplomatic and military talks, which paved the way for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping meeting on the sidelines of the 16th Brics summit in Russia Kazan last week.
India-China talks underway to ease situation in other ‘sensitive’ areas
Sources to ToI further said that talks are underway to ease the situation in “sensitive” areas like Yangtse, Asaphila and Subansiri river valley in Arunachal Pradesh.
A lot of positive development has taken place over the past one week but this does not indicate any permanent resolution to the border confrontation with China that commenced following the PLA’s multiple incursions into eastern Ladakh between April and May of 2020.
For it to happen, China will have to agree to de-escalation along the entire 3,488-km LAC that runs from eastern Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh.
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India-China standoff: Disengagement almost complete at Demchok, Depsang; patrolling likely tomorrow
