India, China set to finalize military disengagement today
India and China are set to complete military disengagement along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) by October 28-29, marking a crucial step toward improving diplomatic ties. After disengagement, patrolling in certain LAC areas will resume as both nations’ troops dismantle temporary structures.
This development follows an important agreement aimed at easing the long-standing border dispute, which had escalated after the 2020 Galwan clash. The latest disengagement will occur at two friction points in eastern Ladakh—Demchok and the Depsang Plains.
According to an Indian Army source, this agreement specifically addresses Demchok and Depsang. Troops will withdraw to positions held before April 2020, and patrolling will revert to pre-2020 patterns. Indian forces have begun pulling back equipment from these locations in adherence to the terms.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar described this as the first step, with de-escalation next. He acknowledged that trust-building would take time, stressing that tensions at the border have impacted India-China relations. Jaishankar outlined three focal areas in the agreement: disengagement, de-escalation, and negotiating a long-term boundary settlement.
While progress at Demchok and Depsang marks a positive step, Jaishankar emphasized that unresolved issues remain, and ongoing discussions will focus on managing the border more effectively and reducing the risk of future confrontations.
