Patrolling resumes at Depsang, Demchok as disengagement along LAC complete

The Indian and Chinese armies resumed patrolling in eastern Ladakh's Demchok and Depsang Plains after completing disengagement, following an agreement to end the four-year standoff along the India-China border.

In Short

• India, China complete disengagement process at border
• Troops exchange sweets along the LAC on Diwali
• Daytime patrol resumes at two friction points in eastern Ladakh

The Indian and Chinese armies restarted patrolling at two friction points in Demchok and Depsang Plains in eastern Ladakh along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) after the disengagement process was completed on Thursday.

This marks a significant step towards reducing tension in the region and was followed by an agreement formalised between Beijing and New Delhi to end the over four-year standoff that began with the deadly Galwan clashes in 2020.

Patrolling operations are now being coordinated, with variations in the number of troops and distances based on specific tasks. Verification of the disengagement process is actively underway, with both sides ensuring the removal of temporary structures and troop withdrawals.

To maintain ongoing stability, talks will continue at the local commanders’ level, involving brigadiers and officers of similar ranks. These discussions aim to refine patrolling protocols and address any remaining issues. Ground commanders from both sides are working together to finalise safe patrolling modalities to prevent any misunderstandings along the border.

As part of the Diwali tradition, Indian and Chinese troops engaged in the customary exchange of sweets today. However, unlike in previous years, no additional cultural programs accompanied the exchange. The sweet exchange, which occurs annually during Diwali, symbolises goodwill and mutual respect amid renewed cooperation along the LAC.

Commenting on the development along the border, the Chinese military on Thursday said that both countries are "making progress" in implementing the agreement to disengage. Spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defence, Zhang Xiaogang, in his first comment since the border deal, said that "China and India have reached resolutions on the issues concerning the border areas through diplomatic and military channels".

"The frontline troops of the two militaries are making progress in implementing resolutions in an orderly manner," he added, echoing the Chinese foreign ministry's comments on Wednesday.

He, however, declined to comment on the reports that the Indian and Chinese troops have completed disengagement at two friction points at Demchok and Depsang Plains in eastern Ladakh and patrolling is set to commence soon at these points.

On October 21, India announced a major breakthrough in reaching a border agreement with China to end the longstanding standoff, which saw both armies amassing troops, military infrastructure, and temporary posts on each side. China also confirmed the agreement the following day, with Beijing stating that a resolution had been reached on "relevant matters" and that it would work alongside New Delhi to implement the terms of this agreement.

Following this, both armies began the disengagement, dismantling the structures they set up in the Depsang and Demchok areas after the Galwan clash, and pulling back personnel to their positions held prior to the confrontation.

Discussions on other buffer zones, including Galwan, have not yet taken place, which will likely be decided in the coming days though commander-level discussions.

Ending the military standoff is likely to rejuvenate the frosty ties between the two Asian giants. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met on the sidelines of the Brics summit in Kazan on October 25, where both sides directed efforts to revive various bilateral dialogue mechanisms.