India, China disengagement process in Gogra-Hot Springs area "going as per schedule": Army chief

New Delhi, Sept 12: Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Pande, speaking about the India-China disengagement, said that the disengagement process in the Gogra-Hot Springs area is "going as per schedule".

 

 

Earlier, it was announced that Indian and Chinese troops have begun disengaging at Patrolling Point 15 in the Gogra-Hot Springs region of eastern Ladakh. Later on Friday, the government said that the disengagement process in this area started at 8.30 am Thursday (September 8) and will be completed by Monday (September 12).

 

The MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, "The two sides have agreed to cease forward deployments in this area in a phased, coordinated and verified manner, resulting in the return of the troops of both sides to their respective areas."

 

"It has been agreed that all temporary structures and other allied infrastructure created in the area by both sides will be dismantled and mutually verified. The landforms in the area will be restored to pre-stand-off period by both sides," he further added.

 

He also said that the agreement ensures that the LAC in this area will be strictly observed and respected by both sides, and that there will be no unilateral change in status quo. "With the resolution of stand-off at PP-15, both sides mutually agreed to take the talks forward and resolve the remaining issues along LAC and restore peace and tranquility in India-China border areas," he said.