India-China troops begin disengagement in Depsang, Demchok; Patrolling to resume by Oct 30 after 4-year standoff

Indian and Chinese troops have initiated disengagement at the friction points of Depsang Plains and Demchok in Eastern Ladakh, in an effort to ease ongoing tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). According to Indian defense officials, both sides have started pulling back troops and equipment and are dismantling temporary structures, including sheds and tents, in these areas. The disengagement process, scheduled to conclude by October 29, will be followed by resumed patrolling from October 30, marking a key milestone in the diplomatic and military dialogues between the two countries.

The agreement to disengage was reached after extensive discussions between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit held in Kazan, Russia. During the meeting, both leaders underscored the importance of resolving border disputes peacefully and committed to mutual respect and stability along the LAC. This high-level commitment was essential in facilitating the current disengagement and resumption of normal patrolling routines, aimed at defusing military tensions that have persisted since 2020.

Both sides have agreed to resume patrolling at pre-April 2020 positions in Depsang and Demchok only, while other friction points along the LAC remain unaffected by this agreement. Indian troops will patrol their designated routes, previously held before the April 2020 standoff, and Chinese patrols will also follow their former routes. Officials from both nations have reportedly outlined specific patrol timings and troop strengths to prevent any potential miscommunication or accidental confrontation along these routes.

The disengagement builds on previous diplomatic negotiations, including 17 rounds of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) and 21 rounds of senior military commanders' talks, which have taken place since the June 2020 clash in Galwan Valley. The talks focused on resolving friction and systematically reducing military deployments at critical points along the LAC, specifically in Eastern Ladakh. This progressive dialogue has been pivotal in reaching the current agreements.

Surveillance protocols have been put in place to closely monitor activities in the disengaged zones of Depsang and Demchok. Both Indian and Chinese forces will maintain oversight and are required to notify each other of any patrol movements within these areas to avoid misunderstandings. These notifications will be shared through the established military communication channels, while regular ground commanders' meetings are scheduled to ensure coordination and address any potential issues.

Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has affirmed that this disengagement process is intended to maintain regional peace and security, emphasizing that India and China are committed to continued dialogue. Officials expect that the resumption of the Special Representatives’ dialogue mechanism, initially paused due to the standoff, will further facilitate consistent communication and peaceful management of unresolved boundary concerns between the two countries.