India, China Troops Withdrawal: Major Breakthrough In Border Talks Starting Today

In a crucial move to improve diplomatic relations, India and China will finalise the military disengagement process across the Line of Actual Control (LAC) by October 28-29, as reported by ANI.

According to PTI, patrolling in certain LAC areas will resume once both sides have completed disengagement and dismantled temporary structures.

Photo Credit: PTI

This development follows a key agreement between India and China aimed at resolving the border dispute. Notably, it marks the first successful resolution since the 2020 Galwan clash, which led to casualties on both sides.

The disengagement will occur at two points of friction along the LAC - Demchok and Depsang Plains in eastern Ladakh.

An Indian Army source informed ANI, "The latest agreements will only apply to Demchok and Depsang and not to other areas. This agreement does not cover other friction zones. Troops from both nations will revert to positions held before April 2020, and will patrol areas they previously covered until April 2020."

Indian troops have begun withdrawing equipment to rear areas in line with the agreement. It is unclear if a symbolic gesture will mark the disengagement's completion at these two points, as unresolved issues remain.

S Jaishankar on the disengagement

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar described the military disengagement at the two friction points along the Ladakh border as a first step, with de-escalation as the next. He highlighted the need for time to rebuild trust and cooperation between the nations.

"The border situation has been very disturbed, with a very negative impact on the overall relationship," the Union Minister remarked on Saturday.

The Foreign Minister pointed out that the agreement addressed three main issues, the first being disengagement, as troops of both nations were "very, very close up to each other, and the possibility of something happening is there."

The second, he noted, is "de-escalation," followed by the "larger issue of how to manage the border and negotiate the boundary settlement."