Thaw at Gogra heights after 15-month face-off: India, China pull out troops

The border stand-off between China and India seems to be thawing.

After nearly 15 months of face-off, Indian and Chinese Armies have completed the disengagement process at the Gogra friction point in Ladakh. As per emerging reports, the ground situation has been restored to the pre-standoff period.

The move comes a day after the Ministry of External Affairs said the recent India-China deliberations on the eastern Ladakh stand-off were constructive, with both sides deciding to resolve the remaining issues in an expeditious manner.

The Indian Army said that the disengagement process was carried out over August 4 and 5 and the troops of both sides are now in their respective permanent bases.

“All temporary structures and other allied infrastructure created in the area by both sides have been dismantled and mutually verified. The landform in the area has been restored by both sides to the pre-standoff period,” the Army said.

It said the disengagement agreement ensures that the Line of Actual Control in Gogra will be strictly observed and respected by both sides and that there is no unilateral change in the status quo.

Also read: India and China agree to move back troops from Gogra Heights

“With this, one more sensitive area of face-off has been resolved. Both sides have expressed commitment to take the talks forward and resolve the remaining issues along the LAC in the Western Sector,” the Army said.

The eastern Ladakh is referred to as Western Sector by the government and the Gogra point is known as Patrolling Point-17A.

“The Indian Army along with ITBP is totally committed to ensure the sovereignty of the nation and maintain peace and tranquillity along the LAC in the Western Sector,” it said.

The Army said both sides have ceased forward deployments in Gogra in a phased, coordinated and verified manner.