Indian Troops Begin Patrolling in Demchok After India-China Disengagement
In a significant development, Indian troops have started patrolling the Demchok sector in eastern Ladakh. This follows an agreement between India and China to disengage and conduct coordinated patrols along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Demchok and Depsang sectors. Indian Army sources confirmed that patrolling in the Depsang sector will commence soon.
The coordinated patrols mean that both countries will be aware of each other’s patrol schedules. On Thursday, the armies of both nations exchanged sweets at various border points in Ladakh, including Hot Springs, Karakoram Pass, Daulat Beg Oldi, KongkLa, and Chushul-Moldo, to celebrate Diwali.
Ladakh MP Haji Hanifa expressed support for the disengagement, emphasizing the desire for peace and the importance of implementing the agreement on the ground. He highlighted the need for diplomatic efforts to reduce border tensions.
General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of Army Staff, noted that restoring trust along the LAC will be a gradual process, involving disengagement, de-escalation, and buffer zone management. He emphasized that these steps are crucial for easing tensions between India and China.
Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong acknowledged the natural differences between neighboring countries but stressed the importance of managing and resolving these differences. The border standoff, which began in 2020 due to Chinese military actions, has strained relations between the two nations.
Doubts Revealed
Demchok -: Demchok is a region in eastern Ladakh, which is a part of India. It is located near the border with China, and sometimes there are disagreements about who controls certain areas.
India-China Disengagement -: India-China disengagement refers to an agreement between India and China to reduce military presence and tensions along their shared border, known as the Line of Actual Control.
Line of Actual Control -: The Line of Actual Control (LAC) is the border that separates Indian-controlled territory from Chinese-controlled territory. It is not a clearly marked border, which sometimes leads to disputes.
Depsang sector -: The Depsang sector is another area in the Ladakh region near the India-China border. Like Demchok, it is also a place where there have been tensions between the two countries.
Diwali -: Diwali is a major Hindu festival celebrated in India, known as the Festival of Lights. It symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and good over evil.
Ladakh MP Haji Hanifa -: Haji Hanifa is a Member of Parliament (MP) from Ladakh, a region in India. MPs are elected representatives who make decisions and laws for the country.
General Upendra Dwivedi -: General Upendra Dwivedi is a high-ranking officer in the Indian Army. He is responsible for making important decisions about military operations and strategies.
Chinese Ambassador Xu Feihong -: Xu Feihong is the Chinese Ambassador, which means he is a representative of China in another country, in this case, India. Ambassadors work to maintain good relations between countries.