Decoding India-China disengagement plan in eastern Ladakh
India TodayAfter 10-month-long military hostilities between India and China, there are signs of tensions being eased in eastern Ladakh as both sides have agreed on a mutual disengagement plan, starting the north bank of Pangong Tso where a prolonged eyeball to eyeball situation continued. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh made the big announcement of the mutual disengagement decided between Indian and Chinese troops in Pangong lake in Rajya Sabha on Thursday. Patrolling will be resumed only when both sides reach an agreement in diplomatic and military talks that would be held subsequently.” Scenic lake turned into a conflict zone Last year in May, there were faceoffs at the lake as Indian patrols were stopped and China brought in additional troops and heavy weapons systems, including tanks and artillery guns, across eastern Ladakh. The Indian Army enjoys a vantage point not just for Chinese army military bases on the South bank of the Pangong lake but also in range is the Finger 4 area on the north of the lake. India made its stand clear during the ninth Corps Commander-level talks on January 24 that a complete resolution will only be possible if the Chinese de-induct their troops and weapons systems from multiple locations across eastern Ladakh and not limit the disengagement to Pangong lake, sources said.