India has lodged a strong protest with China following Beijing’s announcement of two new counties in the Hotan Prefecture, which, according to India, encroach on its territory in Ladakh.
This diplomatic move has been made in response to China’s claims over parts of Indian land that India insists are its sovereign rights.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, voiced India’s objection in a media briefing, emphasising that the creation of these new counties by China would not alter India’s stance on its territorial integrity.
The areas in question, he asserted, are an integral part of India’s Union Territory of Ladakh, and India has never recognised the illegal occupation of these regions by China.
India’s position remains firm on the matter. The MEA spokesperson reiterated that the establishment of these counties by China does not affect India’s sovereignty over the land.
He stressed that India has consistently maintained its long-standing position on Ladakh, firmly rejecting any attempts by China to legitimise its occupation of Indian territory. Through official diplomatic channels, India has lodged a “solemn protest” with China, seeking a reversal of these actions.
This is not the first time that China has made such claims on Indian territory. In recent years, China has released several maps and lists of places that it claims as part of its territory, including areas in Arunachal Pradesh, which India firmly disputes.
In 2017, China published a list of six locations in Arunachal Pradesh, followed by a second list of 15 places in 2021 and another in 2023 that featured 11 additional locations.
Despite these provocative acts, India continues to reject China’s claims, asserting that such efforts, including the assignment of ‘invented’ names to locations, do not change the status of these territories.
The ongoing dispute over Ladakh, as well as other areas along the India-China border, has been a significant point of tension between the two nations. India’s protest against the creation of the new counties in Hotan Prefecture reflects its consistent stance in defending its territorial integrity.
India’s resolute rejection of these Chinese actions is part of a broader strategy to safeguard its sovereignty, and it underscores the country’s commitment to asserting its territorial rights in the face of external challenges.
As the situation continues to evolve, India remains steadfast in its commitment to maintaining control over its land and opposing any moves that seek to alter its boundaries through unlawful means.
