In a significant diplomatic development, India has formally lodged a protest with China over the establishment of two new counties in Hotan prefecture.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), parts of these newly-created counties fall within the Union Territory of Ladakh, a region that is an integral part of India’s sovereign territory.
“We have lodged a strong protest with the Chinese side over their announcement regarding the establishment of two new counties in Hotan Prefecture, as parts of these fall in the Union Territory of Ladakh,” the MEA stated.
Responding sharply, New Delhi asserted that the creation of these counties does not alter India’s longstanding position regarding its sovereignty over the area, nor does it legitimise China’s “illegal and forcible” occupation.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reaffirmed India’s stance, stating, “We have never accepted the illegal Chinese occupation of Indian territory in this area.”
Addressing the matter, Jaiswal said, “We have noted the announcement regarding the establishment of two new counties in Hotan prefecture of China. Jurisdiction of these so-called counties extends into India’s Union Territory of Ladakh.”
He further underscored India’s objection, adding, “The creation of new counties will neither impact our consistent position on sovereignty nor lend any legitimacy to China’s unlawful actions.”
India has conveyed its protest to China through diplomatic channels, Jaiswal confirmed.
The move by Beijing comes amid ongoing tensions and efforts to reduce it between the two countries along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
India and China have been engaged in a protracted military standoff in eastern Ladakh since 2020. While multiple rounds of diplomatic and military level talks have been held to resolve the standoff, progress has remained limited.
In late October 2024, the two countries agreed on patrolling and disengagement of troops along the LAC at the remaining friction points of Depsang and Demchok.
The agreement paved the way for a structured meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, marking the first meeting between the two leaders in five years.
Subsequently, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi also met on the sidelines of the G20 meeting in Brazil in November.
ALSO READ | Nepal 2024: Politicians play musical chairs, new PM does balancing act between India and China
During the meeting, they reached an understanding that the special representatives (SRs) and foreign secretary level mechanisms would be convened soon to address the ongoing issues.
India-China ties had hit an historic low during the June 2020 Galwan Valley clash in eastern Ladakh, which followed after months of tense troop build-up by China along the LAC.
ALSO READ | China’s biggest policy huddle is underway, what to expect?
(Edited by : Shoma Bhattacharjee)
First Published: Jan 3, 2025 5:17 PM IST
