ANI
There has been no discussion yet about the four buffer zones including the Galwan area. Sources have said that discussions at the Corps Commander level will decide on the possibility of resuming patrolling in the buffer zone. Which will happen after the successful start of patrolling in Depsang and Demchok area. Local military commanders from both countries engage in conversation on the hotline each morning to coordinate planned operations for the day.
The process of withdrawal of Indian and Chinese troops in Depsang and Demchok areas of eastern Ladakh was completed. Both the Indian Army and China’s People’s Liberation Army are currently confirming withdrawal of personnel and dismantling of military infrastructure in sensitive areas along the Line of Actual Control. However, it will be verified and it will be done jointly. This includes verifying that positions have been vacated and establishments have been removed in accordance with the agreed terms. Sources have said that currently the work is being done on the basis of trust. There has been no discussion yet about the four buffer zones including the Galwan area. Sources have said that discussions at the Corps Commander level will decide on the possibility of resuming patrolling in the buffer zone. Which will happen after the successful start of patrolling in Depsang and Demchok area. Local military commanders from both countries engage in conversation on the hotline each morning to coordinate planned operations for the day.
Point meetings are also being held once or twice daily to review and align protocols. The big update related to this came through Jaishankar’s statement. In which on October 27, he had said that India and China would soon resume patrolling along the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh, which would restore the order before the border standoff started in April 2020. Jaishankar had said at an event in Pune that under the agreement reached on October 21 for withdrawal of troops, patrolling would be done in Depsang and Demchok. With this we will now be able to consider the next step. It is not that everything has been resolved, but the first phase of withdrawal of troops is there and we have been successful in reaching that stage.
Before April 2020, when there was patrolling, this did not happen. That’s why faceoffs used to happen then. Now this has been done to avoid faceoff. On the question of how many soldiers will go on patrolling, sources said that usually 10 to 25 soldiers go. When patrolling is of long distance, there are about 25 soldiers and when it is of short distance, there are 10 to 15 soldiers in it. Soldiers of both the countries will be able to patrol at all the places where they were patrolling before April 2020. With this, the situation before April 2020 will be restored in Depsang and Demchok.
