PULLBACK OF TROOPS FROM DEMCHOK, DEPSANG COMPLETE

Patrolling to start soon at these points

Indian and Chinese troops have completed disengagement at two friction points at Demchok and Depsang plains in eastern Ladakh and patrolling is set to commence soon at these points, Army sources said on Wednesday.

Exchange of sweets between the two sides will take place on Diwali, they said.

Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong, who attended an event in Kolkata, in response to a question on the troops disengagement said, "I hope that under the guidance of this consensus, relations will be moving forward smoothly in the future and not be restricted and interrupted by specific disagreements between the two sides."

"The most important thing is how to handle the differences," he said.

The process follows the agreement firmed up between the two countries on patrolling and disengagement of troops along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, a major breakthrough to end the over four-year standoff, bringing a fresh thaw in their frosty ties.

The move marks a significant development in the pursuit of reduced tension along the LAC in eastern Ladakh since the fierce clash in the Galwan Valley in June 2020 that marked the most serious military conflict between the two sides in decades.

The ties between the two Asian giants had nosedived following the clash.

The Indian and Chinese troops have completed disengagement at the two friction points and patrolling will commence soon at these points, an Army source said.

The verification process post-disengagement is in progress and patrolling modalities are to be decided between ground commanders, the source said.