Srinagar, Aug 08 (KNO): The Government of India on Friday said that India and China have implemented an agreement on patrolling arrangements in the Depsang and Demchok areas of Eastern Ladakh on October 21, 2024, with previous disengagement terms in the region remaining in effect.
In response to a question raised by Shyamkumar Daulat Barve in the Lok Sabha, the External Affairs Ministry provided details regarding the ongoing disengagement along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) between India and China.
Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh, according to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that India and China reached and implemented an agreement on patrolling arrangements in the Depsang and Demchok areas of Eastern Ladakh on October 21, 2024, with previous disengagement terms in the region remaining in effect.
“India and China have maintained discussions on de-escalation through multiple levels, including meetings between their External Affairs Ministers and Defence Ministers. Until October 2024, engagement was conducted via the Working Mechanism for Cooperation and Coordination (WMCC) and meetings of the Senior Highest Military Commanders (SHMC),” the Minister said.
Since the disengagement agreement, further talks have taken place through the Special Representatives’ Talks and WMCC to address boundary-related issues.
Additional meetings have focused on stabilizing and rebuilding ties, prioritizing people-centric engagements such as the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, direct flight connectivity, and transborder river management.
Commemorative activities marked the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. High-level meetings have involved the Prime Minister, Defence Minister, External Affairs Minister, National Security Advisor, and Foreign Secretary of India, along with their Chinese counterparts.
On economic matters, the Minister confirmed that issues related to restrictive trade measures and export restrictions on critical minerals imposed by China have been raised at the ministerial and working levels. Discussions are ongoing—(KNO)