News and Views on Tibet

India lodges protest over China’s creation of new counties in Aksai Chin

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Image representational (Photo/Diplomat)

Tenzin Nyidon 

DHARAMSHALA, Jan. 6: India has formally protested China’s latest cartographic maneuver involving the creation of two new counties—He’an County and Hekang County—in East Turkestan (Xinjiang). The move has drawn particular concern as one of the newly created counties incorporates Aksai Chin, a region claimed by India as part of its Union Territory of Ladakh.

Speaking at a press briefing on Friday, Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal condemned the development. “We have lodged a solemn protest with the Chinese side through diplomatic channels,” Jaiswal said.

He further clarified India’s position on the matter, stating, “We have seen the announcement pertaining to the establishment of two new counties in Hotan Prefecture of China. Parts of jurisdiction of these so-called counties fall in India’s Union Territory of Ladakh.” 

The spokesperson reaffirmed India’s long standing stance on the region, emphasising, “We have never accepted the illegal Chinese occupation of Indian territory in this area. The creation of new counties will neither have a bearing on India’s longstanding and consistent position regarding our sovereignty over the area nor lend legitimacy to China’s illegal and forcible occupation of the same.”

China’s latest move comes against a backdrop of ongoing strained relations with India, stemming from the 2020 border standoffs in Eastern Ladakh. The prolonged military confrontation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) has intensified vigilance and strained diplomatic ties. Despite these ongoing tensions, recent diplomatic efforts have focused on de-escalating the situation. In October, both nations reached an agreement to withdraw troops from the standoff points along the LAC in the Ladakh region at the Indo-Tibet border.

Last month, senior officials from both countries held formal talks for the first time in five years. Analysts observe that while these discussions have laid a foundation for rebuilding trust, unresolved disputes persist. China’s establishment of new administrative units, viewed as part of its broader strategy to assert control over contested areas by altering their status, continues to undermine efforts to improve bilateral relations and poses significant challenges to improving bilateral relations. 

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