India and China agree on ‘complete disengagement’ of troops from LAC

India and China on Friday resolved to push ahead with “complete disengagement” of troops in eastern Ladakh. Government sources say that the two countries have agreed to withdraw their troops in a timely manner for “full restoration” of peace and tranquility along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Meanwhile, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on Friday evening, held a telephonic conversation with US Defence Secretary Mark T. Esper and discussed issues pertaining to bilateral defence cooperation, including China’s aggressive posturing along the LAC, according to defence sources.

After the online diplomatic meeting under the framework of Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on India-China Border Affairs, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the two sides agreed that maintenance of “enduring peace” in the border areas was essential for overall development of bilateral ties.

The MEA said the two sides reaffirmed to ensure complete disengagement of the troops along the LAC for “full restoration” of peace and tranquility in the border areas in accordance with bilateral agreements and protocols.

“They also agreed that for the overall development of bilateral relations it was essential to maintain enduring peace and tranquillity in the border areas. They reviewed the situation in the IndiaChina border areas including the progress made in ongoing disengagement process along the LAC in the western sector,” the MEA said in a statement.

In Beijing, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said both the sides affirmed the “positive progress” made by their troops in easing the situation along the LAC in eastern Ladakh and agreed to continue the dialogue to further de-escalate the situation.

“They have agreed to continue to maintain dialogue and consultations on the military and diplomatic channels, promote further de-escalation of situation on the ground, and strengthen confidence-building measures in the border areas, properly handle border issues in a timely manner,” the ministry said in a statement.

The MEA in its statement said both India and China agreed that it was necessary to sincerely implement the understandings reached between senior commanders.

In line with the first phase of the disengagement process from friction points, Chinese military on Thursday completed moving back its troops from the face-off sites in Gogra and Hot Springs, days after withdrawing all its personnel from the Galwan Valley, people familiar with the development told PTI.

They said withdrawal of troops from Finger 4 area in Pangong Tso is also gaining traction, paving the way for holding of another round of Corps commander level talks in the next few days to further de-escalate tension in the region.

The formal disengagement process began on Monday morning after a nearly twohour telephonic conversation between National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Sunday.

With agency inputs