- Monday, February 24, 2025
By: Shubham Ghosh
INDIA and China, who have been at loggerheads over the border in the Ladakh region, have agreed in principle to disengage at a key patrol point in eastern Ladakh even though other friction areas remain in the zone, sources in the Indian government have said.
The agreement on PP17A (one of the 65 patrolling points in Ladakh along the Line of Actual Control) was reached during the 12th round of Corps Commander-level talks on Saturday (31). The meeting was part of a series of measures to resolve the 15-month standoff in Ladakh and was held on the Indian side of the Chusul-Moldo border, The Indian Express reported.
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According to sources, China has agreed to step back from PP17A, which is also known as the Gogra Post, but is “not inclined” to move back from PP15 (another patrol point) or the Hot Springs Area.
“Modalities are being worked out. But on PP17A, there is an agreement to disengage. On PP15, China continues to insist that it is holding its own side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC),” an official said, according to The Express report.
The outlet also cited the sources to say that proposals are with the government and details of how the troops will move are being discussed. The movement is expected to begin within the next few days, they added.
Chinese ingression in the Depsang Plains and Charding-Ninglung Nallah in the Demchok area in Ladakh were not discussed, the sources added. However, the latest breakthrough is key, according to them, considering the stalemate between the two countries since February.
A joint statement that the two sides issued on Monday (2) had a “candid and in-depth exchange of views on resolution of remaining areas related to disengagement along the Line of Actual Control in the Western Sector of India-China border areas”.
It said: “The two sides noted that this…meeting was constructive, which further enhanced mutual understanding. They agreed to resolve these remaining issues in an expeditious manner in accordance with the existing agreements and protocols and maintain the momentum of dialogue and negotiations.”
