New Delhi/ Ladakh, February 21, 2021: The meeting between the military chiefs of India and China lasted for 16 hours and ended in Moldo on the Chinese side of the LAC. The two sides discussed disengagement in Gogra Heights, Hot Springs, and Depsang Plains, army sources informed.

For 9 months military troops of both countries have been in standby mode. After the agreement, both sides have withdrawn their troops from the northern and southern end areas of Pangong Lake and have also rescinded weapons, other military, bunkers, and other constructions. The aim of the 10th round of talks is the withdrawal process from other areas as well. Both sides are to discuss modalities for this as known from the source.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated in the Parliament, on February 11, that India and China had reached an agreement to remove troops from the Pangong Lake region in a phased manner. He said that according to the agreement, China would withdraw its troops and move to the east side of the Finger Eight area on the northern shore of Pangong Lake. He added that India would keep its troops at its permanent camp Dhan Singh Thapa post near Finger 3.

Singh added that a similar step would be taken in the southern bank of Pangong Lake. The Defense Minister said that it was agreed that the next meeting of senior commanders of both sides within 48 hours of the completion of the withdrawal process of troops in the Pangong Lake area would resolve all other issues.

On 10th February the process of military withdrawal from the Pangong Lake area began and was completed on Thursday. In the meeting between the two countries today, the Indian delegation is headed by Lt Gen PGK Menon who is the commander of the 14th Corps at Leh. Simultaneously the Chinese side is headed by Major General Liu Lin, commander of the Chinese Army’s Southern Xinjiang Military District.

The military standoff between India and China began on May 5 last year after violent clashes in the Pangong Lake area and then in every day changing events, both sides have seen a large number of troops and deadly weapons. After almost 5 months, Indian troops took action and deployed several mountain peaks of strategic importance in the Mukherpari, Rechil La, and Magar Hill areas in the southern end of Pangong Lake.