DELHI: India and China have agreed to resume patrolling at the contentious Depsang and Demchok sectors along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh by the end of October, marking a significant step forward in resolving a military standoff that has lasted for over four years. Following a series of high-level military and diplomatic discussions, the two countries agreed to recommence coordinated patrols in these areas, restoring arrangements to the status quo before the conflict escalated in April 2020, reports appearing in the media suggest.
The decision to restart patrolling is part of a broader disengagement framework. Troops on both sides are gradually withdrawing from friction points and dismantling temporary structures such as tents, cameras, and other surveillance equipment in a phased process. According to Indian Army sources, this disengagement process is expected to be completed by 28-29 October.
Patrolling in Depsang and Demchok is scheduled to commence on October 30, once both countries have fully dismantled temporary infrastructure. In a move aimed at preventing direct confrontation, both India and China have agreed to notify each other in advance about patrol schedules, ensuring that forces on either side of the LAC avoid inadvertent encounters. This level of coordination, military sources note, is unprecedented and is intended to foster stability and predictability in the volatile region.
Indian troops will be equipped with hand-held weapons, a protocol consistent with pre-2020 practices, as they resume patrolling in these areas. This measure reinforces the intention to return to established norms along the LAC while prioritising the safety of troops on both sides. In the Depsang area, Indian patrols will cover Patrolling Points 10, 11, 12, and 13, extending to the east of a prominent geographical feature known as the “Bottleneck.” The last recorded Indian patrol in this area was in January 2020, underscoring the importance of this agreement in restoring access to previously patrolled regions.
In addition to Depsang, the patrolling route at Demchok, particularly near Charding La Nalla, will also be reinstated. This high-altitude pass, which stands at over 19,000 feet, will witness a coordinated approach, with Indian forces patrolling from the northern side and Chinese forces approaching from the south. The gradual resumption of patrolling at these key points is a testament to the ongoing diplomatic and military efforts to de-escalate tensions and restore a sense of normalcy along the 832-kilometre-long LAC in Eastern Ladakh.
This breakthrough follows extensive rounds of discussions between Indian and Chinese officials, held at both diplomatic and military levels. The Corps Commander-level talks, which involved meticulous planning of patrol routes and disengagement protocols, have played a crucial role in defining the terms of the agreement. Notably, the arrangement does not extend to other former flashpoints such as Gogra, Hot Springs, Pangong Tso, and Galwan, where disengagement was previously completed.
Lieutenant General Suchindra Kumar, Chief of the Northern Command, highlighted the broader implications of this agreement, noting that it represents a consensus based on “equal and mutual security” along the LAC. General Kumar also confirmed that further negotiations would address the steps for de-escalation and de-induction of troops and weaponry from the region, though these discussions are still underway.
In a statement on October 21, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri affirmed that the diplomatic and military teams of both nations have maintained close contact across various forums, ultimately arriving at an agreement that allows for patrolling and grazing rights in traditional areas along the LAC.
