While it is being said that India and China completed the process of disengagement along the Line of Actual Control on Monday, the latest reports indicate that the process still continues at Depsang plains and Demchok — the two 'friction points' — in Eastern Ladakh, said sources.
The military disengagement agreement is effective only for Demchok and Depsang plains, not any other place. This agreement is not going to apply for other friction zones. Troops of both sides will draw back to positions they enjoyed before April 2020, and they will go patrolling areas where they used to patrol till April 2020, defence sources said. EAM S. Jaishankar stated that the disengagement at two friction points from the Ladakh border marks the first step, the de-escalation process would be the next stage.
It will take time for both the countries to develop trust and willingness, EAM Jaishankar said. The situation at the border had been very disturbing and that had a very negative impact on the relationship between the two countries, he added.
The External Affairs Minister says, "Three main issues are there in this agreement. The biggest issue is disengagement because the troops on both sides are very, very close to each other, and there's a possibility of something happening. Then comes de-escalation, and then the bigger issue is how do you manage the border and how do you negotiate the boundary settlement.".
The Defence Ministry earlier said in a statement that in a significant effort to enhance bilateral diplomatic relations, India and China will finalize the process of military disengagement along the LAC by October 28-29. "Patrolling along certain areas of the LAC will begin once troops of both sides complete disengagement and dismantle temporary structures.".
This will be the first working resolution to the dispute after the 2020 Galwan clash between the two forces, which saw multiple casualties, according to a Defence Ministry statement.
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