India and China have disengaged their troops in the Gogra Heights area of eastern Ladakh. This comes nearly a week after the two sides held the 12th Corps Commander-level talks at Moldo on the Chinese side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
The disengagement has taken place around Patrol Point 17A in eastern Ladakh. This had been one of the friction points between the two countries amid the military tussle that has been on for more than a year.
“All temporary structures and other allied infrastructure created in the area by both sides have been dismantled and mutually verified. The landform in the area has been restored by both sides to pre-stand off period,” the Indian Army said in a statement.
As per the agreement, both sides have ceased forward deployments in this area in a phased, coordinated and verified manner. The disengagement process was carried out over 4 and 5 August, 2021. The troops of both sides are now in their respective permanent bases.
Indian and Chinese troops disengaged in Pangong Lake area in February this year but there had been slow movement on further easing of tensions after that.
Like the earlier disengagement protocols the area will be a buffer zone with patrolling by either side suspended till there is a final resolution to the tensions.
As of now disengagement has taken place in Galwan, Gogra and Pangong Tso. The Hot Springs area around PP 15 still remains tense.
According to the the army, this agreement ensures that the LAC in this area will be strictly observed and respected by both sides, and that there is no unilateral change in status quo.
“With this one more sensitive area of face-off has been resolved. Both sides have expressed commitment to take the talks forward and resolve the remaining issues along the LAC in the Western Sector,” the ministry said.
On 31st July, India and China had held 12th round of military talks to discuss disengagement of troops in remaining friction points in eastern Ladakh.
During the talks, India had pressed for an early disengagement of troops and weapons in Hot Springs, Gogra and other remaining friction points in eastern Ladakh. Both sides held detailed deliberation and the talks were comprehensive, they said without elaborating further.
On 5th August, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the talks on the eastern Ladakh row were “constructive” and both sides agreed to resolve the remaining issues in an “expeditious manner”.
Two days after the talks, the Indian Army issued a a joint statement, saying two sides had a “candid and in-depth exchange” of views relating to disengagement and the meeting further enhanced the mutual understanding.