As part of the disengagement process that began on 10 February, China will move its forces back to Finger 8, while Indian troops will move back to its permanent Dhan Singh Thapa Post near Finger 3 on the north bank of Pangong Tso in eastern Ladakh. Similar action will take place on the south bank of the lake as well, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh informed Parliament on Thursday. “We have agreed that both sides should achieve complete disengagement at the earliest and abide fully by the bilateral agreements and protocols,” he added After 10 months of standoff and nine rounds of negotiations between the Corps Commanders, India and China have reached a consensus on modalities of disengaging the troops from the Pangong Tso area. The armies of the two countries were locked in a faceoff ever since the deadly Galwan incident in June 2020. Briefing the House further, Singh said, “It has also been agreed to have a temporary moratorium on military activities by both sides in the North Bank, including patrolling to the traditional areas. Patrolling will be resumed only when both sides reach an agreement in diplomatic and military talks that would be held subsequently. The implementation of this agreement has started yesterday (since Wednesday) in the North and South Bank of the Pangong Lake. It will substantially restore the situation to that existing prior to commencement of the standoff last year.” In the dialogue with China at the military and diplomatic level since last year, he said, “We have told China that we want LAC should to be accepted and respected by both the parties. Neither party should attempt to change the status quo unilaterally. All agreements should be fully adhered to by both parties.” He also assured the House that “we have not lost anything in these discussions”. He also paid tribute to the martyrs who through their valour and courage had ensured the commencement of disengagement process. Singh urged the members of the House to unite across party lines for India’s unity and integrity and said that it would get India’s message across the borders.
To give more pricing flexibility to the airlines, the Centre has expanded the airfare cap, sources said on Thursday. Accordingly, the lower fare band has been increased by 10 per cent, while the upper cap has been raised by 30 per cent. This means that passengers will have to spend more money for air travel from now.
According to China’s defence ministry spokesman Senior Colonel Wu Qian, “The Chinese and Indian frontline troops at the southern and northern bank of the Pangong Tso Lake started synchronised and organized disengagement from 10 February. This move is in accordance with the consensus reached by both sides at the 9th round of China-India Corps Commander Level Meeting.”
Singh said, “Indian forces have faced all the challenges on the north and south bank and the forces had identified several areas of strategic importance and positioned themselves on top of many heights and other areas suitable to our perspective” He added that “our forces have also proved this time that they are always ready and willing to fight every challenge in protecting India’s sovereignty and integrity”.