As the Indian and Chinese Armies have almost pulled back from the stand-off sites on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh, the next round of talks between the Corps Commanders will focus on the reduction of troops in the operational areas.

The two sides bolstered their troop strength in sizable numbers in the past eight weeks during the face-offs and the ugly brawl on June 15 in the Galwan valley in which 20 Indian soldiers were killed.

In their last round of negotiations, the Commanders had agreed to reduce the additional troops from the operational or “depth areas” and go back to their respective peace time locations. The operational areas are generally located 20 to 25 kms from the LAC.

Now, with India and China rapidly disengaging from all the four confrontation or “friction points”, including the Galwan valley, Gogra, Hot Springs and Pangong Tso (lake), source said here on Wednesday steps are on to start the process of “thinning out” troops in operational areas.

The Chinese have dismantled tents and makeshift bunkers besides removing vehicles from all the face-off points.  On Tuesday, the withdrawal at the Galwan river valley, where Indian and Chinese troops clashed on June 15, appeared complete. Satellite images from the bend of the Galwan river as it crosses the LAC and flows into Indian territory, showed the area cleared of Chinese troops and structures.

The Chinese and Indian troops had started the withdrawal at four spots leaving a buffer zone in between after Sunday’s talks. 

Sources said both the sides will refrain from patrolling in the buffer zone and this issue will also figure prominently during the Corps Commander level talks likely early next week.  Incidentally, such a buffer zone is there in Chumur in Ladakh near the LAC for the past few years now, they added.

Stressing the need for continuing dialogue at the military and diplomatic levels to ensure early disengagement and de-escalation at the LAC, sources, however, said the Indian Armed forces are keeping a close watch.

“They do not want to take any chance and get caught off guard and as of now all the frontline weapon systems besides highly trained mountain warfare troops are deployed in forward areas.  The local commanders are following the policy of “wait and watch,” sources said adding if everything goes well, complete withdrawal will end by September end.

 The Corps Commanders Lt General Harinder Singh and Major General Liu Lin have, so far, met three times last month --- on June 6, 22 and 30 -- to find mutually agreeable ways to defuse tension on the border.  Sources said several more rounds of parleys between the two sides will take place in the coming days to keep up the momentum of withdrawal of troops and restore status quo ante prior to May.