India, China troops ‘disengaging’ in phased manner: Army Chief

Dehradun, June 13

The military talks between India and China over the eastern Ladakh row have been “very fruitful”, and both armies are “disengaging” in a phased manner beginning from Galwan valley, Army Chief Gen MM Naravane said on Saturday, in the first official confirmation of mutual pulling back of troops from the region.

Claiming that the situation along India-China border was under control, he exuded confidence that the ongoing dialogue would settle all perceived differences over the de facto boundary between the two nations.

Gen Naravane was talking to reporters on the sidelines of the passing-out parade of the Indian Military Academy.

“Both sides are disengaging in a phased manner. We have started from the north, from the area of the Galwan river where a lot of disengagement has taken place. It has been a very fruitful dialogue. It will go on and the situation will improve,” he said.

The Indian Army has been fiercely objecting to transgressions by Chinese troops, and demanding their immediate withdrawal for the restoration of peace and tranquillity in the area. Both sides held a series of talks over the past few days.

“I would like to assure everyone that the situation along our borders with China is under control. A lot of disengagement has taken place and we are hopeful that all perceived differences will be put to rest through continued dialogue,” Naravane said.— PTI