Ladakh [India], October 31 (ANI): Indian and Chinese Army troops exchanged sweets at various border points in the Ladakh sector on Thursday in celebration of Diwali. The exchange took place at Hot Springs, Karakoram Pass, Daulat Beg Oldi, Kongka La, and the Chushul-Moldo border meeting point.

Earlier today, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced that the disengagement process along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh is nearly complete. Speaking during the inauguration of the Bob Khathing Museum in Assam's Tezpur, Singh said, "At some areas along the LAC, discussions have been ongoing between India and China at both diplomatic and military levels to resolve conflicts."

He added, "Following recent talks, there has been a broad consensus to restore the ground situation. This consensus has developed on the basis of equal and mutual security. Based on this consensus, the disengagement process is nearly complete. We will strive to move beyond just disengagement, but for that, we will need to wait a little longer."

On Wednesday, Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong remarked that while it is natural for India and China to have differences as neighboring countries, the important thing is how to handle and resolve these differences. With the recent completion of the disengagement process in the Depsang and Demchok areas of eastern Ladakh, Xu Feihong expressed optimism about smooth cooperation between India and China in areas such as politics, business, and education.

India and China have recently agreed on patrol arrangements along the LAC at the India-China border. The border standoff between the two nations began in eastern Ladakh along the LAC in 2020 due to Chinese military actions, which led to prolonged tensions and significantly strained relations.

Earlier, Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi emphasized that restoring trust along the LAC would be a gradual process, with the aim of returning to the April 2020 status quo. He highlighted that disengagement, de-escalation, and buffer zone management are critical steps for easing tensions between the two nations. General Dwivedi further explained that this process will take place in phases, with each step designed to reduce tensions.   

(ANI)