After Modi-Xi meet, India, China begin disengagement exercise in Ladakh
A major breakthrough was achieved on Oct 21 when India announced that it had reached an agreement with China on patrolling along the LAC; Beijing confirmed the deal the next day
After a military standoff between India and China for more than four years in eastern Ladakh, the two sides have reportedly started the disengagement process along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
A major breakthrough was achieved on October 21 when India announced that it had reached an agreement with China on patrolling along the LAC – a news that was confirmed by Beijing the next day.
Also Read: India and China strike border patrolling agreement, confirms foreign secretary
According to India Today, the Indian Army on Thursday (October 24) withdrew some troops while the Chinese Army reduced the number of vehicles in the area. The Indian soldiers have reportedly moved to the west side of Charding Nullah (called Demchok river by China), and the Chinese soldiers to its east.
Some tents and temporary structures have been dismantled, and they will all be removed soon, said the sources. Patrolling is expected to resume in the next one week or so in Demchok and Depsang.
Also Read: India, China vow to resolve Eastern Ladakh issues quickly
Violent confrontation in 2020
The standoff in Ladakh began in June 2020 after troops from both sides engaged in a violent confrontation in the Galwan Valley. At least 20 Indian soldiers were reported to have been killed by the Chinese.
The Indian media reported that the Chinese side suffered at least 43 casualties.
Also Read: 20 Indian soldiers killed in clash with Chinese troops in Ladakh, 4 critical
This was the first confrontation between India and China that involved fatalities in the previous 45 years, and was the result of a massive escalation after a five-week border row in the sensitive region.
India rejects China’s claim over Galwan Valley
India rejected China’s claim of sovereignty over Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh and asserted that attempts by the Chinese side to “advance exaggerated and untenable claims” were not at all acceptable.
Also Read: India rejects China's claim of sovereignty over Galwan Valley
“The position with regard to the Galwan Valley area has been historically clear. Attempts by the Chinese side to now advance exaggerated and untenable claims with regard to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) there are not acceptable. They are not in accordance with China’s own position in the past,” India’s External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said in June 2020.