NEW DELHI – India and China have said they will withdraw their security forces along part of their disputed border in the Himalayas, a move that could help ease tensions between months between the two most populous countries in the world.
Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday told lawmakers in parliament that the two countries had agreed on a phased dissolution around Pangong Lake, where they overlap the demands.
Both parties agreed that their security forces around the lake would gradually retreat to the positions they held before the border tension flared up last year. The parties have agreed that temporary structures and infrastructure built since April will be removed and that patrol in disputed areas will be suspended, said Mr. Singh said.
The movement of troops began on Wednesday and will not lead to the relinquishment of any country previously controlled by India, he said.
China on Wednesday announced a synchronized decoupling of frontline troops from the northern and southern shores of the picturesque lake.