“We expect to return to pre-October 31, 2020, patrolling arrangements”- Jaishankar

India and China would soon begin patrolling along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh, returning to the situation as it was in April 2020, before to the start of the border impasse, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Sunday.

“We expect to return to pre-October 31, 2020, patrolling arrangements in areas like Demchok and Depsang. This will take some time,” Jaishankar said addressing a press conference in Mumbai.

According to the minister, the new Memorandum of Understanding, which was signed on October 21, removes restrictions on patrolling in Ladakh’s northernmost frontiers, including in Zabsang and Demchok. The two nations have also agreed to return to the patrolling arrangements from 2020.

Because heavily armed soldiers from both nations had previously assembled in these locations, the agreement sought to address border control and reduce the potential of escalation. Jaishankar clarified that future talks would center on border management and maintaining stability, noting that “there are still some issues related to disengagement and patrolling.”

The recent breakthrough agreement between India and China on patrolling along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) was praised by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday, who also noted that the Army operated under “very, very unimaginable” conditions to protect the country. Following a significant agreement, China and India have started disengaging their troops at the Demchok and Depsang Plains, two places of contention in eastern Ladakh. The procedure is expected to be finished by October 28 or 29.Only these two points of contention were resolved; “talks are still underway” regarding the remaining issues.