NEW DELHI: India and China on Monday announced that the over two-month old military stand-off in Doklam that had cast a shadow over bilateral ties has ended through mutual disengagement of each other’s troops from the region ahead of PM Narendra Modi ’s visit to Xiamen for BRICS Summit between Sep 3-5.The decision has created positive atmospherics for the Summit as well as the bilateral meeting between Modi and President Xi Jinping . The two leaders during their bilateral meet on the side lines of the BRICS Summit could now look at a formula or mechanism wherein officials of the two sides could address dispute at Doklam – a trijunction point between India, China and Bhutan. ET had reported on Monday that India hopes for positive atmospherics ahead of Modi’s China visit – his third since 2015.It is now understood that China has agreed to remove bulldozer from Doklam thereby stopping road construction.“In recent weeks, India and China have maintained diplomatic communication in respect of the incident at Doklam. During these communications, we were able to express our views and convey our concerns and interests. ?On this basis, expeditious disengagement of border personnel at the face-off site at Doklam has been agreed to and is on-going,” read the MEA statement announcing de-escalation that was preceded by intense rhetoric from Chinese media and officials since June.Giving details of disengagment MEA statement further explained, "This process has almost been completed under verification. India has always maintained that is only through diplomatic channels that differences on such matters can be addressed. Our principled position is that agreements and understandings reached on boundary issues must be scrupulously respected. Indian policies remain guided by the belief that peace and tranquility in the border areas is an essential prerequisite for further development of bilateral relationship. The two countries had also agreed in Astana in early June that differences should not be allowed to become disputes and that India-China relations must remain stable. We look forward to continuing engagement with the Chinese side on this basis."After MEA statement, China's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said, "At 1430 or so on August 28, India withdrew its personnel and equipment to the Indian side of the border line." While stating that the Chinese army's patrols in Doklam will continue, she said China would make "necessary adjustments and deployments according to the changes," without elaborating what the adjustments would be. Sources said that soldiers have begun withdrawing, but the exercise will not be completed by today itself.Russian diplomatic sources told ET that Moscow welcomes resolution of the standoff. “We are looking forward to fruitful cooperation between New Delhi and Beijing in Brics as well as on bilateral front,” a Russiansource noted.The decision for mutual withdrawal by both sides from Doklam was a setback of sorts for Beijing as it insisted that stand off could end only when India unilaterally withdraws troops from the area. However, Beijing was perturbed that their demand could spoil the BRICS with India publicly not announcing that its PM will visit Xiamen for the Summit. Further Beijing’s relentless rhetoric did not cut much ice and international pressure was increasing.Persons familiar with the de-escalation process told ET that diplomacy coupled with military strength achieved results for India. This formula was not applied in 2014 when Debsang standoff happened. India had focussed primarily on diplomatic means to deescalate when PLA had transgressed into Debsang in Ladakh. Neither the formula under 1993 nor 1996 bilateral border pacts nor BDCA was applied to achieve desired results, recalled one of the persons quoted above. The two sides held an important meeting mid-August in Beijing which is understood to have contributed to de-escalation.While MoS External Affairs V K Singh’s visit for BRICS Foreign Ministers meeting and later NSA A K Doval trip for BRICS NSA meet were critical to achieve a common ground for de-escalation, Indian Ambassador to China Vijay Gokhale and Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar played important roles in the process. Gokhale was the man on the ground who was in regular touch with Chinese interlocutors over the past three months. It is understood that Jaishankar shaped the narrative from headquarters including obtaining support from the big powers USA and Japan that would put pressure on China. India’s old ally Russia used its good offices with China and held parleys in Delhi, Moscow and Beijing to defuse tensions. Moscow was keen that bilateral tensions should not overshadow BRICS and its spirit. Some Southeast and West Asian countries too quietly backed India and the very fact that China could not unilaterally force a solution in Doklam would strengthen ties between those countries and India.Unlike China India maintained utmost restraint with only two statements from MEA seeking to restore status quo at Doklam based on 2012 Sino-Indian agreement on trijunction besides statement from Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj who emphasised on a solution through diplomatic means. Last week Home Minister Rajnath Singh echoed her thoughts and stated that a solution is in offing in near future.While China put its military might in Doklam, India was not left behind, according to Srikanth Kondapalli, noted expert on Sino-Indian ties and Chinese military. India had not only prepared large of troops but also put in place its state-of-the-art helicopters and drones for any eventuality and putting pressure on the neighbour, according to Kondapalli. “The decision to have mutual withdrawal from Doklam ahead of the BRICS Summit is a positive signal for two big Asian powers having a long unresolved boundary. Tensions in one section of LAC may not just remain confined that sector alone,” observed Kondapalli.PLA claims to raise road construction activities in Dokalam for the fi rst time with IndiaIndia opposes road construction activities in Dokalam when China raises issue; says it will change status quo in contravention of 1993 and 1996 pacts. India says Chinese communication itself is admission that Dokalam is a disputed territory and not part of China.Sino-Indian military standoff begins at Dokalam; 400 troops from each side MoS for external affairs VK Singh visits China for BRICS foreign ministers meet.Bhutan says China did not inform Thimphu about construction activities in Dokalam which is a part of Bhutanese territory Bhutan has no diplomatic relations with China and asks India to intervene following its agreement of 1949 and 2007.Delhi also stressed that it had forewarned China that the road would be seen as a serious security concernIndia issues statement saying all trijunction issues, including Dokalam, has to be discussed trilaterally as per 2012 agreement and not bilaterallyIndian PM and Chinese President discuss range of issues, including the standoff on G-20 sidelines. NSA visits China for BRICS NSA meet; discusses standoff and resolution mechanism with State Councillor Yang JiechiAug 3: Foreign minister Sushma Swaraj speaks in Parliament that diplomacy is way to solution Chinese and Indian soldiers clash at the Pangong Lake in Ladakh in the Western Himalayas Home minister Rajnath Singh says that solution to Dokalam standoff is in offingIndia ignores repeated baiting and aggressive rhetoric by China to insist it would seek diplomatic channels to resolve the tension. Beijing insisted on the unilateral pulling out of India’s soldiers. Chinese media and spokespersons repeatedly warned of military escalation, a possible “countdown to war” and of a repeat of India’s humiliating defeat by China in 1962. India ministers continue to visit China for BRICS meetings