India, China complete Round 1 of patrolling along LAC after border truce agreement

NEW DELHI: The armies of India and China have agreed to conduct coordinated patrols once a week in the Demchok and Depsang areas along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh, and have already completed the first round of joint patrols in early November following the recent disengagement in these areas.

According to the agreement, each side will conduct one patrol per week in both regions. Indian and Chinese troops will alternate weekly patrols in each area, which is expected to support de-escalation efforts and confidence-building measures between the two countries.

The agreement for disengagement and coordinated patrols came after multiple rounds of negotiations at political, diplomatic, and military levels. Both sides will continue to engage in ground-level discussions at regular intervals to ensure the stability of the situation.

Verification patrols have been conducted by both sides to confirm the disengagement process as agreed upon, marking a positive step forward in reducing tensions in the region.

This progress follows a four-year standoff between India and China in Eastern Ladakh, which began with a violent clash in the Galwan Valley in June 2020, leading to heightened military tensions.