The US has welcomed the withdrawal of Indian and Chinese troops from the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and the easing of tensions between the two countries. According to ANI, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller on Tuesday clarified that the US had no role to play in resolving the matter.
The US also said that it is keeping a close eye on the matter. Meanwhile, defense sources said the withdrawal of troops from Depsang and Demchok areas of eastern Ladakh region is almost complete. India is working to resolve this long-standing dispute.
China's foreign ministry said on Friday that troops from both countries are working on the border as per the agreement. In 2020, there was tension in Depsang and Demchok after fierce clashes between Indian and Chinese troops. India and China signed a new patrol agreement on 21 October. This ended a 4-year-long stalemate between the two countries.
Depsang: According to the Indian Army, soldiers will now be able to go to patrol points 10, 11, 11-A, 12 and 13 in Depsang for patrolling.
Demchok: Patrol Point-14 i.e. Galwan Valley, Gogra Hot Springs i.e. PP-15 and PP-17 are buffer zones. Reports quoting sources said patrolling here would be considered later. A buffer zone means a place where the two armies cannot come face to face. This zone separates opposing forces.
Indo-China Patrol Agreement in 3 Points:
1. The agreement was finalized before PM Modi's BRICS visit. Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in BRICS. Modi had said here that it is necessary to maintain peace under all circumstances.
2. China and India agreed to restore the status quo in April 2020 along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh. This means that now the Chinese army will withdraw from the areas where it has encroached.
3. Indian External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikram Misri said that a proposal has been prepared to resolve issues arising after 2020 with patrolling the border areas of India and China. Both the countries will take steps in this regard.
20 Indian soldiers were martyred in an encounter in Galwan on 15 June 2020.
This image is of a bloody clash between Indian and Chinese troops on June 15, 2020, in the Galwan Valley of Ladakh. After this, the dispute between the two countries became more intense.
On June 15, 2020, China deployed troops in the border areas of eastern Ladakh under the pretext of an exercise. After this incidents of infiltration took place in many places.
The Indian government also deployed the same number of troops as China in the area. The situation became so bad that bullets were fired at the LAC.
Meanwhile, on June 15, 20 Indian soldiers were martyred in a clash with the Chinese army in the Galwan Valley. Later India also gave a jaw-dropping reply to this. About 60 Chinese soldiers were killed.
Image Credit: (Divya-Bhaskar): Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).