Indian Army begins patrolling in eastern Ladakh's Demchok
By : Pawan Bali
Update: 2024-11-01 09:45 GMT
New Delhi: The Indian Army began patrolling in the Demchok sector on Friday. This is a big step in easing tensions at one of Ladakh’s two primary flashpoints where India and China had recently completed a disengagement.
According to sources within the Indian Army, patrolling operations are also expected to start soon in the Depsang Plains. "In Demchok, Indian Army patrolling was carried out as per operational requirements and in accordance with the agreement between the two sides," the sources added. Demchok is considered the less contentious of the two flashpoints, with disengagement having been completed on Wednesday.
As part of the agreement, coordinated patrolling will be conducted in both Demchok and Depsang sectors. This coordination ensures that both Indian and Chinese patrols are aware of each other's schedules, thereby minimising the risk of any face-offs. The specific modalities for patrolling were determined during meetings between ground commanders at the brigadier level and below.
In a gesture of goodwill, Indian and Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) troops exchanged sweets at various border points in the Ladakh sector on Thursday to celebrate Diwali. The exchanges took place at Hot Springs, Karakoram Pass, Daulat Beg Oldi, KongkLa, and the Chushul-Moldo border meeting point.
The recent disengagement at Demchok and Depsang concludes a four-and-a-half-year period of direct face-off between Indian and Chinese forces in the Ladakh region. Since April-May 2020, Chinese troops had been obstructing Indian soldiers from patrolling their traditional points up to India's perceived Line of Actual Control (LAC) at these two friction areas. Prior to this, both sides had disengaged from hotspots such as Galwan, Pangong Tso, and Hot Springs in Ladakh, leading to the creation of no-patrolling buffer zones.
India and China are now engaged in discussions to initiate patrolling within these buffer zones as well. Defense minister Rajnath Singh emphasised the importance of peace restoration based on mutual consensus during his address on Wednesday.
Addressing soldiers at the Barakhana event at the Indian Army’s 4 Corps Headquarters in Tezpur, Assam, Singh stated, "India and China were in diplomatic and military talks to resolve their conflicts in certain areas along the LAC. We have reached a consensus following our continuous efforts. This success is due to your discipline and courage. We will continue this process of peace restoration based on the consensus." He further referenced former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s philosophy, stating, "We believe in keeping cordial relations with our neighbours. This is India’s clear policy. However, sometimes situations arise where we must ensure the safety and security of our borders. Keeping in mind the interests of our forces, the government will take necessary steps in this process of peace restoration."
The commencement of patrolling in Demchok and Depsang is seen as a positive development towards stabilising the border regions and fostering better relations between India and China in the strategically sensitive Ladakh sector.
According to sources within the Indian Army, patrolling operations are also expected to start soon in the Depsang Plains. "In Demchok, Indian Army patrolling was carried out as per operational requirements and in accordance with the agreement between the two sides," the sources added. Demchok is considered the less contentious of the two flashpoints, with disengagement having been completed on Wednesday.
As part of the agreement, coordinated patrolling will be conducted in both Demchok and Depsang sectors. This coordination ensures that both Indian and Chinese patrols are aware of each other's schedules, thereby minimising the risk of any face-offs. The specific modalities for patrolling were determined during meetings between ground commanders at the brigadier level and below.
In a gesture of goodwill, Indian and Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) troops exchanged sweets at various border points in the Ladakh sector on Thursday to celebrate Diwali. The exchanges took place at Hot Springs, Karakoram Pass, Daulat Beg Oldi, KongkLa, and the Chushul-Moldo border meeting point.
The recent disengagement at Demchok and Depsang concludes a four-and-a-half-year period of direct face-off between Indian and Chinese forces in the Ladakh region. Since April-May 2020, Chinese troops had been obstructing Indian soldiers from patrolling their traditional points up to India's perceived Line of Actual Control (LAC) at these two friction areas. Prior to this, both sides had disengaged from hotspots such as Galwan, Pangong Tso, and Hot Springs in Ladakh, leading to the creation of no-patrolling buffer zones.
India and China are now engaged in discussions to initiate patrolling within these buffer zones as well. Defense minister Rajnath Singh emphasised the importance of peace restoration based on mutual consensus during his address on Wednesday.
Addressing soldiers at the Barakhana event at the Indian Army’s 4 Corps Headquarters in Tezpur, Assam, Singh stated, "India and China were in diplomatic and military talks to resolve their conflicts in certain areas along the LAC. We have reached a consensus following our continuous efforts. This success is due to your discipline and courage. We will continue this process of peace restoration based on the consensus." He further referenced former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s philosophy, stating, "We believe in keeping cordial relations with our neighbours. This is India’s clear policy. However, sometimes situations arise where we must ensure the safety and security of our borders. Keeping in mind the interests of our forces, the government will take necessary steps in this process of peace restoration."
The commencement of patrolling in Demchok and Depsang is seen as a positive development towards stabilising the border regions and fostering better relations between India and China in the strategically sensitive Ladakh sector.