Indian troops began patrolling the Demchok sector in eastern Ladakh on Friday, following a recent disengagement agreement between India and China. This development marks a significant step forward after both countries agreed to establish coordinated patrols according to each side's understanding of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Demchok and Depsang sectors.
Indian Army sources shared that while patrolling has already started in Demchok, coordinated patrols in the Depsang sector are expected to begin soon.
This joint approach is designed to allow both countries to conduct patrols with mutual awareness, ensuring that each side is informed of the patrol schedules to reduce any potential misinterpretations or escalations along the border.
The disengagement comes after years of tension along the India-China border, triggered in 2020 by a military standoff in eastern Ladakh. Since then, both sides have worked through diplomatic and military channels to ease tensions, with recent developments in the Demchok and Depsang areas being the latest efforts to maintain stability.
On the occasion of Diwali, Indian and Chinese troops exchanged sweets at multiple border points across the Ladakh sector. This traditional gesture of goodwill took place on Thursday at Hot Springs, Karakoram Pass, Daulat Beg Oldi, Kongka La, and Chushul-Moldo, symbolising an amicable atmosphere amid the ongoing disengagement process.
Such exchanges are part of a longstanding custom aimed at fostering positive relations and mutual respect among troops stationed along the tense border regions.
Ladakh MP Haji Hanifa expressed optimism over the disengagement between Indian and Chinese forces along the LAC in eastern Ladakh, noting the critical need for stability in these border regions.
Speaking on behalf of the border communities, Hanifa emphasised the residents' desire for lasting peace and highlighted the benefits of reducing border tensions. “Those of us who live near the border know what war feels like,” he said.
“We desire peace along the border and welcome the agreement between the two countries, but we want to see it implemented on the ground. Tensions along the border should be reduced through diplomatic means.”
India's Chief of Army Staff, General Upendra Dwivedi, also addressed the disengagement process, indicating that restoring trust along the LAC will take time. He emphasised that a gradual, phased approach would be essential for returning to the status quo that existed before the 2020 standoff.
According to General Dwivedi, achieving this peace will involve multiple steps, including disengagement, de-escalation, and establishing buffer zones to avoid conflicts and rebuild mutual confidence.
Commenting on the recent agreement, Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong expressed that while India and China may naturally have differences as neighbouring countries, the emphasis must remain on handling and resolving these differences amicably.
His remarks underlined the importance of diplomatic channels to address border concerns, reflecting a perspective shared by both countries as they work to manage their relationship more constructively.
The mutual agreement to establish coordinated patrols marks a hopeful turn for both nations, especially after the heightened tensions along the LAC that began in 2020.
This incident, which saw increased troop deployment and occasional clashes, put a strain on the India-China relationship, affecting both nations’ political and military postures along their shared border.
However, the recent disengagement reflects a willingness from both sides to pursue peace and stability, reinforcing the importance of open communication channels and consistent diplomatic efforts.
The latest developments in the Demchok and Depsang sectors align with a broader strategy laid out by both governments to normalise relations along the LAC. Military officials from both sides have recognized that implementing coordinated patrols and mutually accepted boundary protocols could prevent misunderstandings and unintended skirmishes. Each phase of the plan is expected to reduce tensions gradually, creating a foundation for long-term peace and security.
India’s emphasis on the Thalweg principle, a doctrine of international law often used in maritime boundary demarcations, has been a focal point in recent dialogues, highlighting India’s insistence on diplomatic adherence to international norms.
Similarly, both sides are exploring ways to implement buffer zones, which would allow troops from either side to retreat to a safe distance, further decreasing the likelihood of direct confrontations.
The start of coordinated patrols in the Demchok sector demonstrates that India and China are making strides in their quest after BRICS to bring stability to their shared border regions.
Though the challenges remain significant, for both the countries meanwhile India and Brazil rejecting China’s BRI, these initial steps provide a framework for managing differences in a peaceful and structured way.
As the two countries continue to work through their issues, observers hope that the measures being implemented will foster lasting trust and a more stable future in these border areas.
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