In a significant move to ease longstanding military tensions, Indian and Chinese forces stationed in Ladakh’s Depsang and Demchok areas are set to disengage and return to positions held before April 2020. According to Army sources, both sides will withdraw troops and dismantle temporary structures like sheds and tents by Tuesday, while commanders will hold regular ground meetings to maintain coordination.
A new patrolling agreement, finalized last week, includes surveillance provisions that require both nations to notify each other before embarking on patrols, minimizing the risk of miscommunication. This agreement aims to end over four years of strained relations along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), dating back to the deadly 2020 Galwan Valley clash, which claimed the lives of 20 Indian soldiers.
Following the Galwan clash, both nations escalated their military presence along the LAC, with India deploying nearly 70,000 troops and advanced military assets, including tanks and fighter jets. China responded by mobilizing forces across Eastern Ladakh and the Northern Front, intensifying security concerns.
On the ongoing de-escalation efforts, Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi expressed optimism, emphasizing that mutual trust and visible restraint in buffer zones could eventually restore stability in the region. His remarks came before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s anticipated bilateral meeting with China’s Xi Jinping at the BRICS summit in Russia, during which both leaders reaffirmed the priority of peace along the border.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar lauded the agreement, crediting patient diplomacy for setting a foundation for renewed stability along the LAC. Nevertheless, concerns linger about other strategic locations, particularly in the Gogra-Hot Springs area, where de-escalation is ongoing.
Depsang’s strategic importance lies in its proximity to the Daulat Beg Oldie airstrip, a vital logistics hub for India, while Demchok, divided by the LAC, remains a sensitive area. As troops begin their withdrawal, experts hope this disengagement will be a pivotal step toward lasting peace along the contested border.