In a significant move on the lines of Indo China relationship, both sides have successfully conducted patrolling in Demchok along the Line of Actual Control where forces of the two countries have been at a face off in the past. The coordinated patrolling by the two armies followed the disengagement agreement between the two countries aiming to restore pre-April 2020.
The patrolling exercise is being conducted by teams of troops that are expected to be below 20 in number and to be held at an agreed frequency to avoid face offs and clashes along the LAC.
Since the strength of the patrolling depends on the task and distance, the emphasis has also been on the design and frequency of patrols, with sources indicating that both sides have agreed to the proposed arrangements.
Also, because there are no evening or night patrols, so the coordinated patrols, according to the defence sources, are happening in the daytime.
Official sources believe that after Demchok, patrolling in Depsang is the next expected development along the LAC.
Coordinated patrolling is seen as a major development in bilateral relationship between India and China who have constantly been on a face off specially at the LAC in eastern Ladakh. The disengagement was completed at both Depsang and Demchok districts in Eastern Ladakh last week after which the patrolling began as the ground commanders, which includes officers of brigadier rank or below, from both parties held meetings to work out the modalities of patrolling.
Both India and China had completed verification last week as they prepared to acknowledge the progress on the disengagement front.
It was a major border breakthrough when the disengagement on both sides along the LAC began and the troops of both India and China began dismantling and removing structures at the border.
This is also crucial as it happened in the wake of the past relations between the two nations that have only nosedived. One of the most serious military conflict in decades between the two sides was the fierce Galwan Valley clash in June 2020.
Shortly before the announcement of disengagement came, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had said that the disengagement of troops at Depsang and Demchok in Ladakh is the first step, and it is expected that India will return to the 2020 patrolling status.
