The Ministry of External Affairs on Friday (9 September) said that India and China will complete the disengagement process in Patrolling Point 15 in the Gogra-Hot Springs area of eastern Ladakh where the two sides have been locked in a standoff for over two years.

In response to media queries on disengagement at area Gogra-Hot Springs (PP-15), MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said that the sixteenth round of talks between the Corps Commanders of India and China was held at Chushul Moldo Meeting Point on 17 July 2022.

"Since then, the two sides had maintained regular contact to build on the progress achieved during the talks to resolve the relevant issues along the LAC in the Western Sector of India-China border areas," the MEA spokesperson added.

As a result, both sides have now agreed on disengagement in the area of Gogra-Hot Springs (PP-15), he added.

As per the agreement, the disengagement process in this area started on 8 September at 8.30 am and "will be completed by 12 September", the MEA spokesperson said.

"The two sides have agreed to cease forward deployments in this area in a phased, coordinated and verified manner, resulting in the return of the troops of both sides to their respective areas," he added.

Further, he informed that both sides have agreed that "all temporary structures and other allied infrastructure created in the area by both sides will be dismantled and mutually verified".

The landforms in the area will be restored to pre-stand-off period by both sides, he added.

The agreement ensures that the LAC in this area will be strictly observed and respected by both sides, and that there will be no unilateral change in status quo.

"With the resolution of stand-off at PP-15, both sides mutually agreed to take the talks forward and resolve the remaining issues along LAC and restore peace and tranquility in India-China border areas," the MEA spokesperson said.