Ladakh, New Delhi, 30 October 2024: India and China have completed disengagement efforts at Depsang and Demchok in eastern Ladakh, allowing both countries to make major progress in defusing border tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Following this milestone, local commanders from each side are expected to meet at designated border points on Diwali, Thursday, to exchange sweets in a symbolic gesture, according to media reports.
The Diwali exchange will take place at all five designated meeting points across the 3,488 km LAC: Depsang and Spanggur Gap in eastern Ladakh, Nathu La in Sikkim, and Bum La and Kibithoo in Arunachal Pradesh. Historically, such meetings were regular until the April 2020 military standoff strained relations.
In a step toward restoring routine border interactions, sources indicated that patrolling will soon resume, with brigade commanders tasked with finalizing patrol routes and scheduling protocols.
Both sides have verified the removal of all temporary structures, tents, vehicles, cameras, sensors, and weapons at these critical points.
This process began last Wednesday at Demchok and continued on Thursday at Depsang, culminating in an extensive check to ensure no remaining barriers obstruct patrolling routes.
A coordinated approach to patrolling, suspended since April 2020, is expected to be reinstated following verification.
Sources said that troops will notify each other prior to any patrols, establishing a coordinated schedule to prevent unplanned encounters along the LAC. This synchronization is intended to minimize the risk of face-offs, adding stability to this sensitive region.
