Disengagement Of India, China Troops

VENU G S, KOLLAM

The disengagement of Indian and Chinese troops at Gogra in eastern Ladakh is indeed a turning point, even more than the previous Galwan and PangongTso withdrawals. The withdrawal at Gogra proves the success of India’s handling of the military, diplomatic and geopolitical challenges. India adopted a pragmatic approach to the crisis and it produced some results. The mutual disengagement of troops by India and China establishes the fact that India and China yearn for maintaining good relations. Given that India faced a series of setbacks to its interests in the neighbourhood, the disengagement at Gogra seems to be a silver lining for the country’s future in international relations. Against the backdrop of Afghanistan slipping away from India’s circle of friendly countries due to the reemergence of the Taliban, maintaining good relations with China is of great importance. Indian and Chinese troops faced each other at four points – in Galwan valley, PangongTso, Hot Springs and Gogra Post. Except for Depsang Plains, disengagements have taken place at the four points. The withdrawal at Gogra heralds a thaw in the relations between the two archrivals. The Gogra disengagement is more important than the previous Galwan and PangongTso withdrawals. The withdrawal is indicative of the fact that both countries are determined to reduce tension along the border. Also, it suggests that complete disengagement along the remaining friction points will happen sooner or later. It is a fact that antagonism between the two countries has not produced anything positive for either of the two. By encroaching on the Indian territory, the Chinese government could irritate New Delhi but not achieve anything more than that.