Indian and Chinese troops have completed the much-awaited disengagement process in the Depsang and Demchok regions of eastern Ladakh, a development that marks a major step toward stabilizing tensions along the Line of Actual Control. 

Sources from the Indian Army reported that ground commanders from both countries will remain engaged in discussions as they continue to supervise a coordinated patrolling agreement to facilitate unimpeded activities in the volatile region. 

With the disengagement process successfully completed, coordinated patrolling by Indian and Chinese troops is expected to start soon, and it will open up access to previously restricted patrolling points in the Depsang Plains and Demchok. "Verification is ongoing, and the modalities for patrolling will be finalized by ground commanders," Indian Army sources revealed on Wednesday. These developments come in the wake of Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirming on October 21 that India and China had agreed on disengagement at the remaining points of contention along the LAC in eastern Ladakh.

As part of the agreement, both sides began dismantling structures and restoring the land to its original condition. In the Depsang Plains, this meant removing a bottleneck that had previously restricted Indian access to vital patrolling points. Indian forces will soon be able to patrol beyond this area, reclaiming routine monitoring capabilities. In Demchok, troops are set to conduct patrols at key locations, including Track Junction and Charding Nullah.

Satellite imagery of the areas on 11 and 25 October captured the demolition process where one could see vehicles and tents being moved away from the disputed "Y Junction" area in Depsang. It was apparent on the satellite images that Chinese vehicles and tents were seen moving back from critical points and both the nations could continue their regular work.

China's Ambassador to India, Xu Fiehong, attributed the current disengagement and cooperation between the two countries following a recent meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping.

“Now that the two leaders have reached important understandings, they will guide the further development of relations between our two countries. I hope that, under the guidance of this consensus, our relations will move forward smoothly in the future,” Xu told reporters in Kolkata. 

The two leaders met on the sidelines of the recent BRICS summit in Russia, where they discussed ways to manage bilateral issues while maintaining peaceful relations. Xu emphasized that “as two neighboring countries, it is natural to have some differences. The meeting of the two leaders has set a very good example for us on how to handle these differences.”

As a gesture of goodwill, Indian and Chinese troops plan to exchange sweets along the LAC on the occasion of Diwali, reflecting a renewed commitment to peaceful relations. Sources confirm that, with the disengagement process complete now, both sides will move toward sustainable peace and cooperative engagement of their differences.