After 15 months, India and China disengage from Gogra flashpoint

After multiple rounds of military and diplomatic-level negotiations, the Indian and Chinese militaries have finally disengaged from Gogra, one of the flashpoints between the two sides since May 2020.

Military commanders of India and China held the 12th round of talks on July 31, to resolve the 15-months long standoff in eastern Ladakh. The meeting was held at the Moldo Garrison of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), China.

As an outcome of the meeting, both sides agreed to disengage in Gogra, which is Patrolling Point 17 A.

Troops in this area have been in a face-off situation since May last year. 

According to army officials, as per the agreement, both sides have ceased forward deployments in this area in a phased, coordinated and verified manner.

"The disengagement process was carried out over two days i.e. August 4 and 5, 2021. The troops of both sides are now in their respective permanent bases," the Indian army said in a statement, adding that all temporary structures and other allied infrastructure created in the area by both sides have been dismantled and mutually verified. The landform in the area has been restored by both sides to what it was in the pre-stand off period.

With this, one more sensitive area of face-off has been resolved. Both sides have expressed commitment to take the talks forward and resolve the remaining issues along the LAC in the Western Sector. The Army maintains that this agreement ensures that the LAC in this area will be strictly observed and respected by both sides and that there is "no unilateral" change in the status quo.

After Saturday's meeting, the Indian army revealed that that the two sides 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.

The agenda of Saturday's meeting was on complete disengagement of troops, weapons and equipment from Gogra and Hot Springs.

"While Gogra has been sorted out, Hot Spring may take some more time. Both sides will discuss disengagement on Hot Spring in the next talks," an official said. But, the Chinese side had refused to discuss the issue of Depsang and Demchok flashpoints. The difference over agenda led to the delay in holding the military commanders talk, as the Indian side sees the Depsang plains as the most contentious amongst all friction points, which China is not willing to discuss. Friction areas like the 900 sq km Depsang plains, the Charding Ninglung Nallah track junction at Demchok and Patrolling point 15 are yet to be resolved. Since 2013, China has blocked Indian patrols to Patrolling Point 10, 11, 11A, 12 and 13 Depsang plains. The Chinese side even set up permanent tents on the Indian side of border, which India has regularly opposed.

Since April 2020, India and China have deployed over 70,000 troops backed by artillery, tanks and rockets along the border in Eastern Ladakh.

Besides the partial disengagement on both sides of Pangong Tso, the disengagement on Gogra is an important indication of normalcy returning to the border. Military negotiations have managed to control the temper of both forces and prevented a repeat of the Galwan Valley clash.

The Indian Army says that both it and the ITBP are committed to ensuring the sovereignty of the nation and maintaining peace and tranquility along the LAC in the Western Sector.