The Indian Army and the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) are on track to complete their disengagement process by October 28-29. This agreement specifically pertains to the Depsang and Demchok areas, while other points of friction remain unchanged. Following the disengagement, both sides will resume patrolling in regions they monitored prior to April 2020.
Sources indicate that troop strengths for patrols have been established, and both nations will notify each other of patrol timings to prevent miscommunication. All temporary infrastructure, such as sheds and tents, will be dismantled, and troop presence will be minimized.
Surveillance will be maintained by both the Indian and Chinese forces in the area, ensuring that patrols in Depsang and Demchok align with pre-April 2020 practices.
During a recent bilateral meeting in Kazan, Russia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and stability along the border. Modi noted, “This is our first formal meeting after five years. Maintaining peace and tranquillity should remain our priority, and mutual trust and respect should guide our relationship. I am confident that our discussions will be constructive.”
The decision to resume patrolling follows extensive negotiations within the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC), which has met 17 times since the June 15, 2020, clash at Galwan. Senior military commanders have also convened 21 times to facilitate this disengagement and patrol resumption.
