India and China to finalise military disengagement today: What exactly is happening on the ground?

India and China are set to complete their military disengagement along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh early this week. The process, as per reports, is set to be completed by Monday (Oct 28) and Tuesday (Oct 29).

What will happen?

Following the military disengagement process, patrolling will resume, as troops withdraw and remove temporary structures in these regions, according to ANI. 

The disengagement is part of an agreement aimed at reducing tensions that have been high since the 2020 Galwan Valley clash.

Also read | ‘Will take time to rebuild trust,’ India’s Jaishankar lauds military for LAC deal with China

The arrangement stipulates that troops from both India and China will go back to the positions they held before April 2020. However, the agreement applies solely to Demchok and Depsang and does not encompass other disputed areas. 

"The latest agreements will only be valid for Demchok and Depsang and not other places. This agreement will not be applicable to other friction zones. Troops from both sides will fall back to positions they held pre-April 2020 and they will patrol areas where they patrolled till April 2020," reported ANI quoting an Indian Army source.

Indian Foreign Minister Jaishankar explains the de-escalation process

Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has emphasised that disengagement is merely the first phase, with broader goals of de-escalation and trust-building. He noted that while equipment is being pulled back to rear bases, a full resolution will require time and ongoing efforts to restore stability and mutual trust. 

Jaishankar explained that the agreement centres on three core aspects: immediate disengagement, subsequent de-escalation, and, eventually, the third "larger issue of how do you manage the border and how do you negotiate the boundary settlement."

Also read | India and China reach agreement on patrolling along Line of Actual Control

"The situation in the border has been very disturbed and that's had a very negative impact on the overall relationship," he added.

The disengagement process involves dismantling temporary structures and ensuring that both countries' patrol schedules are coordinated to avoid misunderstandings. Ground commanders will continue to meet regularly, maintaining effective communication. 

(With inputs from agencies)