Large numbers of tank transporters near the headquarters of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) at Rudok and Xiadullah across Rezang La and Karakoram Pass indicate that the Chinese Army are making preparations for the second round of disengagement, Hindustan Times reported on Wednesday quoting experts.

The disengagement of Indian and Chinese troops across the Line of Actual Control (LAC) began last week, ending a 10-month-long standoff between the two armies in Eastern Ladakh.

From February 10, frontline troops of China and India at the south and north banks of the Pangong Lake in eastern Ladakh started synchronised and organised disengagement, the Chinese defence ministry announced.

“All I can say is that the disengagement process is moving on well, though the date of next meeting of military commanders is yet to be decided,” Hindustan Times quoted a senior Indian official as saying.

The Indian government, however, acknowledged this the next morning.

Presenting a statement at the Parliament, defence minister Rajnath Singh said: “The agreement that we have been able to reach with the Chinese side for disengagement in the Pangong Lake area envisages that both sides will cease their forward deployments in a phased, coordinated and verified manner.”

He added: “The Chinese side will keep its troop presence in the north bank area to east of Finger 8. Reciprocally, the Indian troops will be based at their permanent base at Dhan Singh Thapa Post near Finger 3. A similar action would be taken in the south bank area by both sides.”

The militaries of China and India have been engaged in a tense standoff in eastern Ladakh since early May last year. The two countries have held several rounds of military and diplomatic-level talks to resolve the face-off.

On January 24, the ninth round of China-India Corps Commander-level meeting was held on the Chinese side of the Moldo-Chushul border meeting point.