New Delhi: Ending the nearly four-year military standoff in eastern Ladakh, disengagement at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) has started under an agreement between India and China. Both countries removed some temporary tents from Depsang and Demchok, the remaining friction points in the border dispute, CNN-News18 reported quoting defence sources.
Two years ago, India and China had disengaged at four different locations where buffer zones had been created. According to the sources, local commanders are dealing with the current disengagement as per broad terms decided at a senior level.
The sources further said the whole process will take time but it has already been initiated. It began soon after the announcement of the pact, with local commanders meeting the next day, they said. They said the troops removing their tents, however, does not mean they are pulling back. As soon as the temporary structures, which are blocking the way, are removed patrolling will begin, they added.
Notably, on Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping endorsed this agreement on the margins of the BRICS Summit in Russia. They also issued directions to revive various bilateral dialogue mechanisms, signalling attempts to normalise ties that were hit by the military clash at Galwan in 2020.
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