Sources have told The Sunday Express that several agenda-based interactions have been taking place at multiple points along the LAC for nearly 10 days now between local commanders at the levels of brigade and below to sort out minor issues that may have cropped up and to prevent any incident during the winter months.
More such meetings are likely to take place over the next few weeks.
This is among the various confidence-building measures (CBMs) which were discussed during the Corps Commander-level talks between the two sides.
Other CBMs discussed in the last few rounds of military talks were adherence to existing border protocols and advance sharing of patrol information to avoid clashes on ground.
Sources said the Indian Army, in the last fortnight, has already started moving into its winter posture. They say another round of high-level military talks is expected to take place before the start of summer.
“Even as these CBMs are being implemented along the LAC, the Army has continued to maintain adequate reserves in the depth areas as part of preparations to deal with any contingency that may crop up,” a source said.
Additionally, enhancement of infrastructure, wherever feasible, is being carried out despite the extreme cold weather conditions in eastern Ladakh, the source said.
The Indian Express reported last month that the Army’s winter posture will see overall redeployment of troops along the LAC – possibly also a reduction in troop strength from eastern Ladakh while maintaining adequate reserves in depth areas.
Additionally, a range of latest surveillance devices were to be deployed for domination of the border and there were plans to carry out adequate winter air surveillance operations by helicopters and limited patrolling by troops as and when required.
In the 20th round of military talks held last month, there was no tangible forward movement on the ground, but both sides had agreed to maintain the momentum of dialogue and negotiations through various military and diplomatic mechanisms, while committing to maintain peace and tranquillity on the ground in the interim, according to a statement issued by the government.
India has been pressing for access to all its old patrolling points along the LAC and early disengagement at the remaining friction points including legacy ones such as Depsang Plains and Demchok. An overall de-escalation of troops in the Ladakh region has also been on the agenda of the talks.
In September 2022, both sides pulled back troops to disengage from Patrolling Point-15 in the Gogra-Hot Springs area of eastern Ladakh, marking a major step in the standoff which began in May 2020.
Friction points such as Galwan Valley, north and south banks of Pangong Tso and the Gogra-Hot Springs area have seen some resolution in the last three years with the creation of buffer zones.
However, legacy friction points such as Depsang Plains and Demchok are yet to see any disengagement.
Both sides had pushed in nearly 50,000-60,000 troops along the LAC within months of the start of the standoff.
