Image Credit: X account @firefurycorps
Indian Army Successfully Resumes Patrolling in Disengaged Depsang Area
The Indian Army successfully conducted a patrol in the Depsang area of eastern Ladakh on Monday, just days after completing troop disengagement with China at Depsang and Demchok, two key friction points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
The Indian patrol in Depsang marks a continuation of the efforts that began last week with patrolling in Demchok. The Fire and Fury Corps, based in Leh, stated on social media, “Following the consensus reached between the Indian and Chinese sides for disengagement and resumption of patrolling in Depsang and Demchok, the Indian Army patrol to one of the patrolling points in Depsang was successfully conducted today. This is yet another positive step towards maintaining peace and tranquility on the LAC.”
Patrolling Verification Underway in Eastern Ladakh
The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that verification patrols in both Demchok and Depsang have begun under mutually agreed terms. The commencement of these patrols follows an extended period of negotiations between India and China, with the Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri noting an agreement reached after “weeks of negotiations.” Misri highlighted that the recent agreement between the two countries is aimed at easing the standoff that began in 2020.
Progress Toward Resolving Longstanding Tensions
The patrolling and disengagement of troops are part of a broader attempt to restore pre-April 2020 conditions in the region. Both Indian and Chinese forces exchanged Diwali greetings at several LAC points last week, signaling an easing of tensions. The current development is seen as a breakthrough in addressing the issues that escalated following the Galwan Valley clash in June 2020, which had severely impacted diplomatic relations between the two nations.
The resumption of patrolling and the agreement on disengagement signal progress toward stabilizing one of Asia’s most sensitive border regions, as both nations work to build confidence and restore peace along the LAC.
