India-China Agree Not To Increase Troop Strength At LAC Next Summer: Report

India and China, during the 20th round of Corps Commanders' talks held four days ago (9-10 October), agreed not to bring additional troops back to eastern Ladakh during the summer months next year, reported The Print.

According to the report, the military commanders also committed to refraining from provocative actions at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) during the challenging winter months.

Notably, the harsh winters of eastern Ladakh compel both armies to reduce their troop presence in forward areas to the rear, and re-induct them during the summer months.

The primary focus of the agreement is on this re-deployment, where both commanders have agreed not to bring back additional troops to LAC.

"The plan is to reach an understanding during the next round of talks to avoid bringing back additional troops during the summers," the report quoted a source as saying.

Another round of talks between the corps commanders will be held in the winter months to work out the specifics of this agreement.

Currently, more than 50,000 troops from both the Indian Army and the Chinese People's Liberation Army are in a standoff along the entire LAC, following the clashes at Pangong Tso and Galwan Valley in May and June 2020 in eastern Ladakh.

India and China have conducted over 20 rounds of military commanders' talks, during which they agreed to disengage from multiple points, including Galwan, Pangong Tso, Gogra, and Hot Spring.

However, standoffs at legacy points like Depsang and Demchok still persist.