New Delhi: In a move that has been praised as a major step towards resolving the long-standing border dispute, India and China have completed the process of military disengagement at two crucial friction points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh.
The disengagement, which took place at Demchok and the Depsang Plains, will be completed by India and China by October 28-29, news agency ANI reported. Both sides have agreed to withdraw their troops to positions held before April 2020, with patrolling restrictions also being reinstated.
According to the PTI report the patrolling across certain areas of the LAC will start once Indian and Chinese troops complete disengagement and dismantle temporary structures raised in the area, reported PTI.
However, despite the positive development, experts caution that this is merely a step back, not a step forward. The disengagement agreement is only valid for these two specific locations, leaving other friction points along the LAC unresolved.
“The latest agreements will only be valid for Demchok and Depsang and not other places. This agreement will not be applicable to other friction zones. Troops from both sides will fall back to positions they held pre-April 2020 and they will patrol areas where they patrolled till April 2020,” A source in the Indian Army told ANI.
While the completion of disengagement signifies a commitment to de-escalation, it does not address the underlying issue of the LAC, which remains a source of tension and uncertainty. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has emphasised that building trust and willingness between the two nations will be a long and arduous process. He highlighted that the agreement involves addressing three key issues: disengagement, de-escalation, and ultimately, the larger question of managing the border and negotiating a boundary settlement.
According to the experts, the agreement, though limited in scope, offers a glimmer of hope. It demonstrates that both sides are willing to engage in dialogue and find common ground. It allows for a reduction in tensions and a de-escalation of the situation along the LAC.
