The Indian Army began patrolling at Demchok on Friday, days after In dian and Chinese troops completed disengagement at the two friction points in eastern Ladakh, Army sources said. Patrolling at Depsang is expected to resume shortly, they said. Indian and Chinese troops have completed disengagement at two fric tion points at Demchok and Depsang Plains in eastern Ladakh and patrolling is set to commence soon at these points, Army sources had said on Wednesday. Indian and Chinese troops exchanged sweets at several border points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) on the occasion of Diwali on Thursday. The traditional practice was observed a day after both the countries com pleted troop disengagement at the two friction points, bringing a fresh thaw in Sino-Indian ties. Patrolling has begun at Demchok, an Army source said. Sources had earlier said that the areas and patrolling status were expected to be moved back to pre-April 2020 level. PTI

Indian, Chinese troops exchange sweets at several border points on Diwali

Frontline troops of India and China exchanged sweets at multiple spots along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh on Diwali on Thursday. Sources said sweets were exchanged at five locations. However, there was no ceremonial mili tary ceremony. At each location, a very small team includ ing 8-10 troops from the Indian side and a matching contingent from the Chinese side met. The two saluted each other and exchanged the sweets. Notably, the exchange of sweets took place at locations that included the Karokaram Pass, the northern-most point along the India-China boundary. Among other locations, sweets were exchanged at Hot Springs and Kongka La. All three spots are extremely sensitive. Hot Springs was one of the friction spots where the two sides were engaged in eyeball-to-eyeball military stand off from April 2020 onwards