"We have never accepted the illegal Chinese occupation": India protests China’s new counties in Ladakh

India has lodged a formal protest with China over the establishment of two new counties in the Hotan Prefecture, a region that lies partially within India’s Union Territory of Ladakh. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) emphasized that parts of the jurisdiction of these new counties fall within Indian territory, reaffirming India's long-standing position on the region. India has maintained that Ladakh, including the disputed areas of Aksai Chin, is an integral part of its sovereign territory, and it does not recognize China's control over any part of this region.

The new administrative divisions, created by China in the Hotan Prefecture, come as part of broader territorial disputes between the two countries. In the past, China has administratively incorporated Aksai Chin into its Xinjiang and Tibet Autonomous Regions, despite India's claim over the area. The MEA reiterated that the creation of these counties would not alter India’s territorial stance nor legitimize China’s claims. "We have never accepted the illegal Chinese occupation of Indian territory in this area," said the MEA spokesperson, underlining India’s unyielding position on its territorial integrity.

This protest is part of ongoing concerns raised by India regarding China’s activities along their shared border, particularly in sensitive regions like Ladakh and the Doklam plateau. India has expressed alarm over China’s infrastructure developments and settlement projects near the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Satellite imagery has shown that China has constructed at least 22 new villages in disputed areas, with a focus on building settlements in proximity to the strategically significant Doklam plateau, which is close to the tri-junction of India, Bhutan, and China.

In addition to the territorial disputes, India has raised concerns about China’s water management projects, particularly the construction of a mega dam on the Brahmaputra River in Tibet. India, as a lower riparian state, has consistently sought transparency from China regarding such projects. The dam, if constructed, could alter the flow of the Brahmaputra, potentially affecting water resources in India’s northeastern states. India has urged China to engage in consultations with downstream countries to address the environmental and geopolitical risks posed by such mega projects.

The protest also follows significant developments regarding disengagement between the two countries in critical border areas, particularly Demchok and Depsang in Eastern Ladakh. While India and China had agreed to disengage in these areas as part of military de-escalation talks, India continues to monitor China’s infrastructure build-up and military presence in disputed regions. Despite the disengagement agreements, tensions remain high, with India closely watching China’s actions to ensure that its sovereignty and security are not compromised.