India Strongly Criticizes China’s Establishment of New Counties in Disputed Ladakh Territory

India Strongly Criticizes China: India has criticized the recent move made by China in the formation of two new counties in Hotan prefecture, an area in the disputed territory of Ladakh. New Delhi has forwarded a formal protest to Beijing over the matter, reiterating its stance strongly that the new administrative units will change nothing to alter India’s long-standing claim of the territory.

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) condemned the actions of China as “illegal and forcible.” The government restated that India does not accept the legitimacy of China’s occupation of parts of Ladakh and that such actions only escalate tensions in the region.

India’s official statement underlined that the formation of these new counties will have no impact on India’s established position regarding its sovereignty over Ladakh. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “The creation of new counties will neither have a bearing on India’s long-standing and consistent position regarding our sovereignty over the area nor lend legitimacy to China’s illegal and forcible occupation of the same.”

This development comes amidst ongoing tensions between India and China over their long-standing border dispute. Ladakh, in particular, has been a focal point of the territorial disagreement, with both nations staking claims over the region. The recent move by China to establish new counties is seen by India as an attempt to further solidify its position in the disputed area.

The Indian government has made it amply clear that such unilateral actions by China would not influence its claims. India continues to emphasize the peaceful resolution of the border dispute based on mutual respect for sovereignty and international law.

“We have seen the announcement relating to the creation of two new counties in the Hotan Prefecture of China. Parts of the jurisdiction of these so-called counties fall in India’s Union Territory of Ladakh,” said Jaiswal.

In response to the actions of China, India reaffirmed its stance on protecting the territorial integrity of the country and vowed to stay firm on the Ladakh stand. The situation remains tense as both nations are still engaged in diplomatic efforts in order to solve the border issue.

India’s firm response is a testament to its commitment to protecting its sovereignty over Ladakh, even as China continues to push forward with measures that India considers illegitimate and provocative. The international community is watching the situation closely as it continues to unfold in this long-standing geopolitical dispute.