Ladakh has been a point of tension between the Indian and Chinese troops for months now. In the latest turn of events, a three-step plan of disengagement has been suggested by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) for both the countries to consider. It has been 6 months since the PLA troops have crossed the Line of Actual Control (LAC) of India resulting in a military standoff in Ladakh.

As per the proposal, China has agreed to take back its troops and move back to the Finger 8 location along with moving back from two sides of the Pangong Tso Lake from the southern side. If India agrees to this proposal, it will have to vacate the 13 spots it currently occupies in the southern region of Pangong Tso Lake while the Chinese troops shall do the same and move from the spots in the northern Ladakh region. This plan does not include or discuss the Depsang plains in northern Ladakh where both the troops have counter claims.

As per the development, in this case, no such agreement has been reached yet, it is just a proposal as claimed by a senior official from the Indian Army. The decision made by India will be announced in the 9^th senior military commanders meeting next week. The proposal shall be considered by the China Study Group (CSG), which is headed by Ajit Doval, India’s National Security Advisor. The CSG discussion will be focusing upon the LAC in Ladakh and whether or not the Depsang plains shall be considered to be a part of this disengagement and de-escalation proposal.

This proposal was first discussed when Major General Liu Lin -South Xinjiang Military Region Commander and Lt General PGK Menon, Leh-based XIV Corps commander were involved in a one-on-one discussion on November 6, in Chushul during the 8^th Corps Commander-level talks.

As per the proposal, in Phase 1 – both the troops shall withdraw their tanks simultaneously from their respective locations along the LAC. In Phase 2 – the Indian troops shall be moving to Finger 3 location, which is Dhan Singh Thapa post, which is towards the northern side of Pangong Tso, while the PLA troops will be retracting back to Finger 8 location. The final phase – Phase 3 will ensure that the Indian troops withdraw from their current 13 spots including Renchin La and Rezang La located at the southern end of the Pangong Tso lake. These locations were crucial for India to achieve domination over the Spanggur gap and Moldo Garrison of the PLA troops.

The author is a student member of Amity Centre of Happiness