Chinese Troops Withdraw from Pangongcho Lake Area Along the India Border

Stepwise Withdrawal According to Bilateral Agreement on the 10th
Tensions Remain High in Other Border Areas

The Chinese military base (top) stationed around Pangong Tso Lake, located in the border area between India and China, has been withdrawn (bottom) [Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] It has been reported that the Chinese troops deployed around the major disputed area of Pangong Tso have rapidly withdrawn following the border conflict with India. Although a phased withdrawal operation is underway according to the troop withdrawal agreement between the two countries, tensions still linger in other border areas, and concerns remain about the possibility of localized clashes breaking out again.

According to India's Hindustan Times and major foreign media, on the 17th, Chinese troops reportedly withdrew from the vicinity of Pangong Tso, a major disputed area with India. Hindustan Times revealed that satellite images taken by the U.S. space technology company Maxar Technologies showed that the area where the Chinese military base had been deployed was empty. Military facilities such as Chinese military barracks, which were visible in satellite images as of the 30th of last month, had completely disappeared in the images taken on the 16th of this month.

This follows the prior agreement between India and China. Earlier, Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh appeared before parliament on the 11th and stated, "India and China have agreed on a phased withdrawal plan in the eastern Ladakh region," adding that frontline troops in the Pangong Tso area began withdrawing from the 10th. The Indian Ministry of Defense further stated that recently Chinese troops have been dismantling bunkers and tents in the area and withdrawing tanks, and that the Indian military is also implementing withdrawal measures, although no images of the Indian troops withdrawing have been released. Due to underdeveloped transportation infrastructure connected to the Ladakh region, India’s withdrawal speed is presumed to be significantly slower compared to that of the Chinese troops.

China’s state-run Global Times reported, "About 200 Chinese tanks deployed around the Pangong Tso area have withdrawn at a rapid pace," and added, "The speed of China’s withdrawal has actually surprised Indian army officers and Indian national security planners." It further stated, "India should consider that just as the Chinese troops can withdraw overnight, they could also redeploy troops overnight," applying pressure on India. Although the two countries have agreed on a phased withdrawal and are withdrawing troops from the Pangong Tso area, it is known that tensions still persist in other border regions.

Previously, India and China fought a war in 1962 over border issues, but without finalizing the border line, they have faced off along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). In some areas, the location of the LAC claimed by each side differs, leading to disputes where each side accuses the other of invading its territory. Following clashes at Pangong Lake in May last year, a melee involving clubs broke out in the Galwan Valley area in June, resulting in over 20 deaths. Since September last year, both countries have allowed the use of firearms for the first time in 45 years and have competitively deployed heavy weapons in the Ladakh region, maintaining a prolonged standoff.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.