New Delhi: India and China today announced the start of disengagement of their troops from Gogra-Hot Springs area of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the mountainous Ladakh sector.
The armies of the two neighbouring countries have been in an eyeball-to-eyeball situation in this area and at some other points of the LAC since over last two years.
“On 8th September 2022, according to the consensus reached in the 16th round of India China Corps Commander Level Meeting, the Indian and Chinese troops in the area of Gogra-Hot Springs (PP-15) have begun to disengage in a coordinated and planned way, which is conducive to the peace and tranquility in the border areas,” said a Joint Statement.
The Joint Statement did not give any more details.
The 16th round of India-China Corps Commander-level meeting was held in July, during which the two sides discussed about disengagement at all friction points and de-escalation of tensions prevailing in the mountainous Ladakh sector of the LAC for over two years.
In May 2020, China attempted to unilaterally change the LAC by moving troops and military arsenal to the unmanned parts in certain areas, including Depsang, Pangong Lake, Gogra Hills and Hot Springs.
India swiftly moved its matching troops and military assets to prevent the misadventure by China, leading to an eyeball-to-eyeball situation.
Both sides mobilised tens of thousands of troops to the mountains and deployed latest weaponry and military assets including fighter planes close to the border.
Troops of the two armies had a bloody clash in Galwan valley in June 2020, in which India lost 20 soldiers while an unaccounted number of soldiers died on the Chinese side.
Efforts were made to end the military standoff through talks and several rounds of discussions were held at military, diplomatic and ministerial levels.
These resulted in the disengagement in Pangong Lake, Galwan and Gogra.
However, the standoff continues in some friction point areas like Depsang.
After the 16th round of Corps Commander-level meeting in June, a joint statement said, “Building on the progress made at the last meeting on March 11, 2022, the two sides continued discussions for the resolution of the relevant issues along the Line of Actual Control in the Western Sector in a constructive and forward looking manner.”
