Other friction points on table next: Centre

Outstanding problems with the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) at Depsang, Hot Springs and Gogra — friction points on the contested border in eastern Ladakh — will be tackled after full disengagement between rival soldiers in the Pangong Tso area, where mutual withdrawal of front-line troops is underway, the defence ministry said on Friday.

This was the first official mention of Depsang, which lies south of Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO) in a strategic area that the military calls Sub-sector North, as a friction point after border tensions began last May.

The outstanding issues related to deployment and patrolling at the three friction points will be taken up within 48 hours of pullback of troops deployed on strategic heights on the north and south banks of Pangong Tso, the ministry said in a statement.

Disengagement in the Pangong Tso area along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) began on Wednesday.

India has not ceded any territory to China as a result of the disengagement agreement, the ministry said hours after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had given away land in the Finger area on the north bank of Pangong Tso to the neighbour. Gandhi asked why the government was silent

NEW DELHI:

The two sides are also set to take up the situation in Depsang, Hot Springs and Gogra.

PLA’S deployments in Depsang have hindered

llaccess of Indian soldiers to routes including to five patrolling points.

Indian Army’s patrolling activity has also been affected in Gogra and Hot

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J&K

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Springs, where rival troops are forward deployed.

The disengagement will be phased, coordinated and verified at all friction points, which could take months.

lulat Beg Oldi

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LAC

Tso

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INDIA