Following the announcement that the disengagement process at Patrolling Point 15 in the Gogra-Hot Springs region of eastern Ladakh had commenced, the government confirmed on Friday that the process began at 8:30 am on Thursday, September 8, and is scheduled to be completed by Monday, September 12.
The 5-day process consists of five key components: halting forward deployments, returning troops to their respective areas, dismantling temporary structures and infrastructure, restoring landforms to their original positions, and coordinating a phased disengagement with mutual verification of structures.
Government sources emphasized the importance of local Army commanders and officers verifying each movement and completing the process calmly to prevent any escalation of tension in the area, particularly in light of previous clashes at PP 14 in June 2020.
Although the disengagement at PP 15 is underway, broader de-escalation efforts are still pending negotiations, with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval overseeing the process alongside senior military officials.
If the disengagement proceeds smoothly, Prime Minister Modi’s attendance at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Samarkand on September 15 and 16 may be facilitated, potentially including a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The details of the disengagement were disclosed by Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi, highlighting the agreement to cease forward deployments, dismantle structures, and restore the pre-standoff status quo in the Gogra-Hot Springs area.
Despite progress at PP 15, unresolved boundary issues persist, with Chinese forces obstructing Indian access to patrolling areas in the Depsang Plains and Charding Nala region along the Line of Actual Control. The last disengagement occurred at PP 17A in August 2021, with further talks necessary to address remaining disputes.
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