India formally protested to China through its embassy on Friday over the creation of two new counties in the Hotan prefecture. In regard to the geographical representation of these areas, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) points out that some of them belong to the Indian-administered Union Territory of Ladakh. Thus, the issue under discussion is quite worrying.
“India has never recognised the illegal Chinese incursion into the Indian territory in the region. From the notification, it has become apparent that two new counties have been formed in Hotan Prefecture of China. Some sections of the above said county fall in India’s Union Territory of Ladakh,” added MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.
The move happened months after India and China finally withdrew from the buffer zone at Demchok and Depsang in Eastern Ladakh after a 17-month face-off along the LoAC. Relations between the two nations continue to be rather strained, primarily due to partially solved border problems.
In another related measure, India reacted to the Chinese proposal to build a huge Dam on the Brahmaputra River in Tibet, asserting India’s determination to protect its rights and interests as an upstream country.
“We will persistently remain vigilant and act appropriately to safeguard our interests,” said the MEA spokesperson. India has continued to express its apprehensions about mega river projects in Chinese territory by word of mouth or through officials.
Jaiswal further justified that they should be more transparent and carry out consultations with downstream countries. “This is because for any long established lower riparian state with user rights to the waters of the river, our views and concerns have been time and again relayed to the Chinese side. Which have been repeated in combination with transparency and consultation with downstream countries here in the newest report,” he continued.
The two problems demonstrate that India continues to face adversities with China, such as territorial and geographical features and resources. Therefore, careful diplomacy and proactive measures are required to safeguard the country’s interests.
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