Before Diwali, the ice on relations between India and China has melted.
The process of withdrawal of India-China forces from Depsang and Demchok, two locations on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, was completed on Wednesday evening.
Now soon patrolling will be started at both the places like before. Before this, on 31st October, the day of Diwali, the soldiers of both the countries will greet each other.
Under the recent agreement between India and China, a target was set to withdraw the forces by the end of the month.
The Foreign Secretary had announced the agreement on Monday and the forces had started withdrawing from Tuesday.
This work has been completed as per schedule. The talks held in Kazan between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping immediately after the agreement were also effective in its speedy implementation.
Aerial survey expected to be completed today
Army sources said on Wednesday that the forces have retreated at both the places. That means they have returned to the places where they were in April 2020.
After the withdrawal of the armies, both sides are confirming this, for this aerial survey is done. This process is also expected to be completed on Thursday.
Sources said that the modalities of patrolling will be decided by talks between the local commanders of the armies of both the countries. After which it will start.
The Army has not given any date for this but it is likely to start within a day or two. Local commanders are usually Colonel level officers below Brigadier.
There was conflict on seven points
A total of seven points were involved in the confrontation, out of which the forces had already retreated from Galwan, Pangong Lake North, Pangong Lake South, Hot Spring and Gogra.
Patrolling is to be done at the remaining five places
Patrolling is to be started at the remaining five places also but that is not a part of this agreement. Separate talks are going on between India and China for that.
What happens next:
– Now like April 2020, patrolling will soon be started on Depsang and Demchok. Local commanders will discuss and decide the modalities of patrolling.
– Another major step is the reduction of forces from Depsang and Demchok. The armies of both the countries have returned to their old places but 50-50 thousand armies are present there. It will have to be reduced in a phased manner. For this, talks will start separately between the two countries.
– New posts of the armies of both the countries have been built at many places in the area, they will also have to be removed.
– The same procedures will have to be followed for the remaining five places also.
What do experts say
The withdrawal of forces from Depsang and Demchok is a very positive step. This has opened the way for resolution of the remaining issues.
But to restore the situation before April 2020, the armies of both the countries will still have to do a lot of work, which will take time.
The conflict will be considered completely over when the additional troops withdraw from the LAC. – Lieutenant General Rajendra Singh (Retd)
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