Indian and Chinese troops have started disengaging at Patrolling Pillar (15) in Eastern Ladakh, as announced by the government on Thursday. The two countries’ forces have been in a confrontational position in the area since April 2020.
According to a ‘Joint Statement’ issued by the Ministry of Defence, on September 8, 2022, Indian and Chinese troops at Gogra-Hotsprings (PP-15) have begun a coordinated and planned disengagement, following the consensus reached in the 16th round of India China Corps Commander Level Meeting.
The meeting took place on July 17 this year at the Chushul-Moldo border meeting point on the Indian side.
With the disengagement at PP 15, forces from both countries have disengaged at all friction points in the region, including the North and South banks of the Pangong Tso, PP 14, PP 15, and PP 17A. However, contentious issues remain, as Chinese forces continue to block access to traditional patrolling areas of Indian forces on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Depsang Plains and Charding Nala regions.
The last disengagement occurred at PP 17 A in August last year, following the 12th Corp Commander Level meeting. Subsequent talks did not lead to a breakthrough until the consensus was reached in the 16th talks.
In April this year, during Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to India, a proposal was made by China for the disengagement of troops at Patrolling Point 15 in the Hot Spring area of Galwan in eastern Ladakh. However, India rejected the proposal after careful consideration.
India found China’s proposal unacceptable as it required Indian troops to move back to their Karam Singh post between PP 16 and PP 17, while Chinese troops would withdraw just behind the Line of Actual Control (LAC) as claimed by India in that region.
Multiple negotiations have taken place since then, leading to a mutually agreeable formula for disengagement without revealing further details, according to government sources.
A ‘joint press release’ after the 16th Corps Commander level talks stated that both sides continued discussions for resolving issues along the LAC in the Western Sector in a constructive manner. They agreed to maintain security and stability on the ground and continue dialogue through military and diplomatic channels.
China has not yet proposed workable solutions for disengagement at remaining friction points in eastern Ladakh, including PP 15, Depsang plains, and Charding Nala.
At PP 17 A, Indian troops have retreated to their permanent post at PP 17, while the Chinese have moved back two kilometers northeast of PP 17 A with the condition of no patrolling in the demilitarized zone.
The 15th round of Corps Commander-level discussions did not resolve the standoff in eastern Ladakh. The joint statement released after the meeting emphasized the need for continued dialogue through military and diplomatic channels to reach a mutually acceptable resolution.
