{"id":82608,"date":"2021-02-13T19:00:27","date_gmt":"2021-02-13T13:30:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.forumias.com\/?p=82608"},"modified":"2021-04-23T18:20:57","modified_gmt":"2021-04-23T12:50:57","slug":"disengagement-agreement-at-pangong-tso-lake-explained","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/disengagement-agreement-at-pangong-tso-lake-explained\/","title":{"rendered":"Disengagement agreement at Pangong\u00a0Tso Lake &#8211; Explained"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"content-box-blue\">\n<p>Table of contents<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#bgd\"><strong>Background<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#agreement\"><strong>What are the important points of the agreement?<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#reasons\"><strong>What are the reasons leading to the present agreement?<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#concern\"><strong>Concerns with the disengagement agreement<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#sugg\"><strong>Suggestions to improve the disengagement<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>Recently, a military <a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/disengagement-agreement-in-pangong-tso-region\/\">disengagement agreement signed<\/a> between India and China. This is the first major breakthrough to resolve the <b>nine-month-long<\/b>\u00a0<strong>military stand-off <\/strong>along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh. Both the Chinese and Indian troops present on the south and north of <a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/importance-of-ladakhs-pangong-tso-lake\/\">Pangong Tso lake<\/a> already started a <strong>\u201csynchronized and organized disengagement\u201d.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><a id=\"bgd\"><\/a>Background:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Line of Actual Control is the disputed boundary between India and China. LAC is divided into three sectors: western, middle, and eastern.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Both countries disagree on the actual location of the LAC. <\/strong>India claims that the LAC is 3,488 km long. But the Chinese believe it is around 2,000 km only.<\/li>\n<li>LAC mostly passes on the land, but in <a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/importance-of-ladakhs-pangong-tso-lake\/\">Pangong Tso lake<\/a>, LAC passes through the water as well.<\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25cf\" data-font=\"\" data-listid=\"4\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\">The contested area of the lake is divided into 8 Fingers.<\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25cf\" data-font=\"\" data-listid=\"4\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Chinese contested that the LAC is at finger 4. But, India\u2019s perceived LAC (Line of Actual Control) is at finger 8. This led to frequent disputes in the area.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25cf\" data-font=\"\" data-listid=\"4\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\">Previously India patrolled on foot up to Finger 8. But there is no motorable road access from India\u2019s side to the areas east of Finger 4.<\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25cf\" data-font=\"\" data-listid=\"4\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\">China on the other hand already built a road on their side and dominated up to Finger 4.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-82668 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/PongangTso.jpg?resize=750%2C285&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"750\" height=\"285\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/PongangTso.jpg?resize=1024%2C389&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/PongangTso.jpg?resize=300%2C114&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/PongangTso.jpg?resize=768%2C292&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/PongangTso.jpg?resize=1536%2C584&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/PongangTso.jpg?resize=1200%2C456&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/PongangTso.jpg?w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25cf\" data-font=\"\" data-listid=\"4\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The recent (in May 2020) <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">standoff on North and South bank of the lake is one such dispute.<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25cf\" data-font=\"\" data-listid=\"4\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">During the stand-off, Chinese troops marched to the ridgeline of finger 3 and 4. Indian forces were forced to stay within finger 3.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">\u00a0But, <span data-contrast=\"auto\">in August 2020, India obtained<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0some strategic advantages<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> in the region by occupying certain peaks in the Kailash ranges. After that, Indian troops started positioning in Magar Hill, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Mukhpari<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">,\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Gurung<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> Hill, etc. This pressurized China to enter into a negotiation. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25cf\" data-font=\"\" data-listid=\"4\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Later, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">India and China finally reached to an agreement on disengagement at <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Pangong<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> Lake.<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">The agreement was reached in the\u00a0<b>9th corps commander meeting<\/b> held on 24th January 2021.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><a id=\"agreement\"><\/a>What are the important points of agreement?<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25cf\" data-font=\"\" data-listid=\"1\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The agreement calls for <strong>disengagement along the\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><strong>Pangong\u00a0Tso<\/strong><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><strong>\u00a0region<\/strong>. It includes the pulling of tanks and troops from both sides.<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25cf\" data-font=\"\" data-listid=\"1\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The troops will return to <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">pre standoff<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> position in a gradual manner on the north and south banks of the lake.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25cf\" data-font=\"\" data-listid=\"1\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In the north bank,<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0China will pull back to finger 8<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">India will get back<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0to its\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Dhan<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Singh<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Thapa<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0post<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0near finger 3.<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25cf\" data-font=\"\" data-listid=\"1\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The area between finger 3 and 8 will become a<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0no patrolling zone<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> for a temporary period.<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25cf\" data-font=\"\" data-listid=\"1\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"1\">All the <b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">construction\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">done after April<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> 2020 will be <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">removed\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">by both sides<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25cf\" data-font=\"\" data-listid=\"1\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"1\">Negotiation of the agreement through military and diplomatic discussions will take place to decide the patrolling on the area between finger 3 and 8.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong><a id=\"reasons\"><\/a>What are the reasons leading to the present agreement?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>First<\/strong>, India&#8217;s <strong>strategic advantage and ability to remain strong<\/strong>. China started the standoff in March and soon captured Finger 4 area. Chinese thought that they were in an advantageous position both militarily and strategically as compared to India (As the move coincides with COVID pandemic). China never expected such prolonged opposition from India. But India achieved this, which resulted into the agreement.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Second<\/strong>, there is also a climatic reason for it. The icy-cold winter in Ladakh with temperature as low as minus 20 degrees Celsius forced China for an agreement.<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">\u00a0<\/span>Chinese forces are not habituated to such extreme temperature. For example, <span data-contrast=\"auto\">10,000 troops from the Western Theatre Command (WTC) had moved to lower locations due to fatigue and other complications in January.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Third<\/strong>, <b>sensible diplomacy of India.<\/b> India handled the pressure from China very well. For example, handling the Chinese provoking tactics, India did not turn out aggressive at any point of dispute. All these along with India&#8217;s diplomatic will to ban Chinese apps <b><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/india-china-disengagement-agreement-along-lac\/\">forced China to engage in talks<\/a>.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><strong>Fourth<\/strong>, <strong>International Pressure on China<\/strong>. China&#8217;s image in the international arena got deteriorated due to various reasons like<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>China&#8217;s opaque way of handling COVID outbreak<\/li>\n<li>The way China forces its maritime neighbours in the South China Sea.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>All these forces along with the standoff deteriorated China&#8217;s image. With the nations recovering from COVID pandemic, China wanted to create a positive image (as Chinese manufactured goods need markets). So China agreed to disengagement.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Fifth, N<\/strong><b>ew Biden-Harris alliance\u00a0<\/b>in the US promised greater stability in the South China Sea region. China cannot afford a conflict on its two fronts (East &#8211; South China Sea dispute, West &#8211; India &#8211; China standoff). So China agreed to return to pre-stand off position.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a id=\"concern\"><\/a>Concerns with the disengagement agreement:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><strong>First<\/strong>, there is a <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">lack of trust\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">amongst the countries. This restricts them from the attainment of lasting peace in the region.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Second, Ambiguity with respect to China<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u2019s intent.<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> Even the US warned India to remain vigilant in disengagement.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Third, <\/span><\/b>there is still a <b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">higher probability of escalation of violence<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0in the region. For example,<strong> clashes in Galwan Valley<\/strong> started <span style=\"color: #000000;\">when the troops were <\/span>pulling back in June last year.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><strong>Fourth<\/strong>, Pangong<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Tso<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> is just one point of friction.\u00a0 F<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ocus on other areas is also required. <\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Else the efficacy of this disengagement is also at risk. The other areas include, <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ol>\n<li><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Gogra Post\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">at Patrolling Point 17A (PP17A)\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25cb\" data-font=\"\" data-listid=\"2\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Hot Springs area<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0near PP15<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25cb\" data-font=\"\" data-listid=\"2\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">PP14 in\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Galwan<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0Valley<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25cb\" data-font=\"\" data-listid=\"2\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Depsang<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0Plains,<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0which is close to India\u2019s strategic\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Daulat<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0Beg Oldie base<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">According to the present agreement, the discussion on Gogra Post and Hot Springs area will take place 48 hours after the disengagement at Pangong Tso Lake will complete.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\"><strong>Fifth<\/strong>, there is also an accusation on India for getting into agreement despite being in a dominant position. They are,<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Prior to the standoff, Finger 4 belonged to Indian territory. But in the agreement, India agreed to move to Finger 3 and not to stay on Finger 4.<\/li>\n<li>Indian troops, after capturing Kailash ranges are now moving back.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">But one has to realize following points,<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">China moving back to Finger 8 after capturing Finger 4.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">Focus on long term solution instead of the short term needs.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">Falling behind itself is like a defeat to China considering its military potential.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">The area between finger 3 to finger 8 is currently under negotiation.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong><a id=\"sugg\"><\/a>Suggestions to improve the disengagement:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>First<\/strong>, The immediate <span data-contrast=\"auto\">focus should be on the <strong>disengagement and gradu<\/strong><\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><strong>al withdrawal in the entire region<\/strong> along with the proper implementation of <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Pangong<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Tso<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0disengagement agreement.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Second, <\/strong>Both countries can <strong>reach a diplomatic solution<\/strong> like the <strong>creation of buffer zones or demilitarized zone<\/strong> in disputed areas. As the next step of the solution, they can also create further improvements. Such as <strong>Neither side<\/strong> will deploy\/patrol\/develop infrastructure in the buffer zone or permitting joint patrolling of troops.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Third, Both<\/strong> the countries should<strong> sign an agreement<\/strong> to resolve the conflict in the long run by,<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Accepting and respecting the LAC by both the parties.<\/li>\n<li>Neither party should attempt to change the status quo unilaterally.<\/li>\n<li>Both parties should adhere to all the agreements.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Despite the Chinese agreement India always has to remain cautious of earlier Chinese aggressions such as non-adherence to the principles, frequent violation in the region, creating infrastructure in disputed areas, etc. Once the disengagement is done India will have to keep the momentum and move ahead to resolve all the boundary conflicts. That is the only solution beneficial for both the countries.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Table of contents Background What are the important points of the agreement? What are the reasons leading to the present agreement? Concerns with the disengagement agreement Suggestions to improve the disengagement Recently, a military disengagement agreement signed between India and China. This is the first major breakthrough to resolve the nine-month-long\u00a0military stand-off along the Line&hellip; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/disengagement-agreement-at-pangong-tso-lake-explained\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Disengagement agreement at Pangong\u00a0Tso Lake &#8211; Explained<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":61,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[130,9],"tags":[1543,7998,1333,1457],"class_list":["post-82608","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-7-pm","category-public","tag-daily-current-affairs-news","tag-international_issues","tag-ir_0","tag-ir_02","entry"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","views":{"total":0,"cached_at":"","cached_date":1700187198},"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/82608","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/61"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=82608"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/82608\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=82608"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=82608"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=82608"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}