India, China complete Ladakh LAC disengagement, focus now on buffer zones

As disengagement of Indian and Chinese troops has been completed in sensitive regions of Demchok and the Depsang plains in Eastern Ladakh, the Indian Army is now shifting its focus on defining patrolling protocols to ensure stable management of the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
Maintaining vigilance across the boundary remains a priority as both nations work through friction points and deliberate on establishing buffer zones in critical areas.
The recent disengagement agreement, formalised after multiple rounds of military and diplomatic negotiations, will allow a phased resumption of patrols in these areas, which had been highly restricted since 2020 due to heightened military presence and recurring confrontations.
Buffer zones established in areas such as the Galwan Valley, North and South Pangong Tso, Gogra, and Hotsprings were also a key focus of discussions. These zones were set up as temporary no-patrol areas by mutual agreement in response to heightened hostilities.
However, while the current disengagement agreement permits patrol resumption in Demchok and Depsang, similar arrangements for the buffer zones remain unresolved. Talks on these zones are ongoing, spanning both military and diplomatic avenues.
“The talks have been ongoing for all friction points along the LAC, but so far, an agreement has only been reached for resumption of patrols at Demchok and Depsang. Dialogue over the remaining buffer zones is still active at multiple levels,” a source close to the discussions told India Today TV.
The next round of corps commander-level talks is expected to advance these discussions.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar recently confirmed India’s continued focus on achieving steady progress through sustained diplomatic and military channels. “India is closely watching developments post-agreement and remains hopeful for further progress,” Jaishankar had said.