China on Tuesday strongly opposed India’s move to name 28 strategically important locations along the international border in the Union Territory of Ladakh.
India had identified 28 places and geographical features on its official map on October 2 last year in the border area of Ladakh, including Gogra and Hot Springs, where major border clashes are likely to occur.
With the aim of raising public awareness about the tense border region, India undertook this exercise of refining and accurately identifying the official map in consultation with the Ladakh administration.
It was in these Gogra and Hot Spring border areas that a clash broke out between Indian and Chinese forces in May 2022.
Following that, a tense situation arose as troops were amassed along the border on both sides. After that, following the ongoing talks between the two sides, both countries took steps to withdraw their troops.
In this context, India identified on its map areas including the high peak Alisha Giri, Prangsa, Sachingal Pass, Kanishka Peak, Karun Pir Mountain, Kuksel, Marthanda Giri, Parpik Glacier, Skamri Glacier, Sachmrik Pass, Shkorka Valley, Jorawar Peak, Dehra Campus, Drak Karpo, Jolmori, Kumarayana Point, Panglung, Rinchen Sangpo, Sakyasri Giri, Guru Rinpoche, Shamal Lungpa, Yangpa River, Marpa Lotsawa Ri, Milarepa Kangri, Shiva Ri, and Maheshwara Ri, in order to raise public awareness about the tense border areas.
China's objection
China objected to this. Regarding this, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said in an interview with reporters in Beijing on Tuesday, “China will never recognize the Ladakh Union Territory, which was created unilaterally and illegally by India.
“Furthermore, China firmly opposes India identifying 28 locations along the Ladakh border on its map. This illegal action will not change the facts on the ground. The areas mentioned in the western section of the China-India border have always belonged to China,” she said.
India rejects
India rejected China’s objection, and Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in Delhi to reporters, ‘The Union Territory of Ladakh is an integral and inseparable part of India. No matter how much the Chinese side denies it, this established fact cannot be changed.
In this matter, the Union Home Ministry issued a press release on the 2nd in a manner that made it clearly understandable.
It clearly states that ‘28 places or land areas located in the Ladakh Union Territory have been identified using the official names on the Survey of India’s official map, and this work was carried out in consultation with the Ladakh Union Territory and local stakeholders,’ he said.