New Delhi – India and China have almost completed the disengagement process in the Demchok and Depsang areas of eastern Ladakh. The armies of both the countries have now returned to the position before April 2020. This information has been given by government sources. In the next phase of disengagement, there will be verification of withdrawal between the two sides on the ground and through unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). According to reports, some verification has already started and both sides are planning to deploy patrol parties.
Government sources said that the number of patrol parties will depend on their work and the distance covered. A short-range patrol team can have 10-15 soldiers. While a long-range team can include 20-25 soldiers. India says that its troops should get access to traditional patrolling points (PPS) where they were being prevented from going earlier. Apart from this, talks are going on to reduce the situation in sensitive areas like Yangtze, Asaphila and Subansiri river valley of Arunachal Pradesh. This is a positive sign that dialogue and talks are going on between the two countries.
Although the process of disengagement is progressing on schedule, it is not a permanent solution to the ongoing confrontation on the border. Defense experts believe that China will have to agree to reduce tensions on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and both the countries will have to withdraw their more than 1,00,000 troops, who are currently deployed on the front line.