As disengagement is almost complete along the LAC, Indian-Chinese troops exchange sweet gifts | In pictures

Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said the disengagement process in certain areas along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) has been almost completed based on a “broad consensus” between the countries to restore the terrain, including patrolling and grazing rights in traditional areas.

Singh, who had to cancel his trip to Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh, spoke after the virtual inauguration of the Patel statue and museum at Tezpur in Assam.

“Based on this consensus, the disengagement process is almost complete. Our efforts will be to move beyond division; but for that we will have to wait a little longer,” he added.

The positive turn in the border dispute was reflected in army camps along the LAC, where soldiers exchanged sweets at several border points including Bum La and Wacha/Kibita in Arunachal Pradesh, Chushul Moldo and Daulat Beg Oldi in Ladakh and Nathu La in Sikkim. .

Both countries have completed disengagement of troops at two friction points in the Demchok and Depsang plains in eastern Ladakh, leading to a new thaw in Sino-Indian relations. “The exchange of sweets between Indian and Chinese troops took place at several border points along the LAC on the occasion of Diwali,” an army source told PTI.

Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong on Wednesday welcomed the new breakthrough in relations, saying it was natural that India and China would have differences given their closeness. The key is to effectively manage and resolve these differences, he added.

Xu added that he is also “looking forward” to the resumption of direct flights between India and China. “Resuming direct flights will save time and money for everyone. I hope to fly back to Beijing soon, just like before 2020,” he said.