Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced today that the disengagement of Indian and Chinese forces near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) is “almost complete.” While noting India’s commitment to moving “beyond disengagement” in its efforts for stability along the border, he cautioned that this process would “take time.”
“India and China have been holding talks at both diplomatic and military levels to resolve the differences in some areas along the LAC. As a result of the talks, a broad consensus was developed on the basis of equal and mutual security. The consensus includes the rights of patrolling and grazing in traditional areas. Based on this consensus, the process of disengagement is almost complete,” he said
While speaking during the e-inauguration ceremony of Bob Khathing Museum, in Assam’s Tezpur, Singh said, “our efforts will be to take the matter beyond disengagement; but for that, we will have to wait a little longer”.
Defence Minister inaugurated the event remotely from the 4 Corps Headquarters in Tezpur, Assam. Originally scheduled to visit Tawang for the opening of Bob Khathing Museum of Valour, he did not proceed due to adverse weather conditions.
BharatShakti had reported that the resumption of coordinated patrolling in the Depsang and Demchok sectors of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh would begin only next week. While Indian patrols can access Patrol Points 10 to 13 at any time now—following the completion of disengagement and dismantling of temporary structures on both sides in Depsang—the process in Demchok took longer due to adverse weather conditions. This delay might last a few more days. Once the process was over, both sides would carry out joint verification, and then the pre-2020 practice of allowing each other’s patrols and access to grazing areas for the local shepherds would restart.
The next phase, which involves initiating coordinated patrols, is set to begin no earlier than November 3rd. According to the agreement reached between India and China, these coordinated patrols will include providing advance information to the other side about the date, time, and size of the patrols. India’s main demand for restoring the right to patrol up to Patrolling Points 10 to 13 near Depsang, as well as a location known as CNN close to Demchok, beyond an area referred to as Y Junction, has been met under the agreement reached on October 21st. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced this disengagement agreement on the eve of Prime Minister Modi’s departure to Kazan, Russia, for the BRICS summit, where he held a bilateral meeting with President Xi Jinping on October 23rd.
During the meeting, it was agreed that India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and China’s Special Representative Wang Yi would resume dialogue to ease tensions and outline next steps for improved relations. Analysts caution, however, that this is merely an early step toward “normalizing” India-China ties. At best, this effort aims to prevent violent confrontations or clashes between troops stationed along the border. Defence Minister hinted at the gradual nature of this process, remarking, “We will have to wait a little longer.”
Ravi Shankar
