India lodged a strong protest with China on Friday over the establishment of two new counties in Hotan Prefecture, parts of which fall under the Indian Union Territory of Ladakh. New Delhi condemned the move, reiterating its position on sovereignty and rejecting China’s “illegal and forcible” occupation of Indian territory.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal was asserting Indian position saying, “We have never acknowledged the Chinese infringement into Indian territory in this regard.” He made it clear that formation of these counties will not change India’s long standing stand on its sovereignty over Ladakh.
The statement by China about the two counties has been responded by spirit diplomatic protest from India. MEA clarified that the move will not amount to recognition of the Chinese occupation in the region has justified. “Formation of new counties will not affect India’s stand on the issue which remains consistent that INCLUDES it mechanically does not legitimize China’s illegal occupation,” Jaiswal underlined.
India’s response reflects its assertiveness about its sovereignty especially in areas affected by China that has been seen to be expansionist. We have formally conveyed our protest to the Chinese through diplomatic means, Jaiswal also said.
The development proves that the relations of both countries still have conflict elements, for instance, in the territory of Ladakh, where both armed confrontations and territorial conflicts has emerged in the recent years.
India’s protest again underrates that the country will not allow any nation to undermine its territorial integrity and sovereignty, warning both China and the whole world of that. It is the effective solution that the two neighbors should engage in more diplomacy to solve such a situation to restore their friendly relations.
