India lodges protest against China's claim of 'new counties' in Ladakh: ‘Never accepted illegal occupation…’

The government of India has registered its “solemn protest over these developments through diplomatic channels”

The central government told Parliament on Friday that India has taken note of China's announcement regarding creation of two new counties, parts of which fall in Ladakh, and has conveyed a "solemn" protest through diplomatic channels.

In a written reply to a query in Lok Sabha, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh said, “The Government of India has 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 long-standing and consistent position regarding India’s sovereignty over the area, nor lend legitimacy to China's illegal and forcible occupation of the same.”

The government of India has registered its “solemn protest over these developments through diplomatic channels”, he said.

The ministry was asked whether the government is aware of "China's establishment of two new counties in the Hotan prefecture, incorporating Indian territory in Ladakh", if so, the strategic and diplomatic measures undertaken by the government to address this issue.

The query also sought details of protests lodged by India against the "creation of these counties" along with the responses received from the Chinese government, if any. It was also asked whether the government has formulated any long-term strategies to "counter China's increasing administrative and infrastructural developments in the Aksai Chin region".

“Government of India is aware of the announcement by the Chinese side pertaining to the establishment of so-called two new counties in Hotan prefecture of China. Parts of the jurisdiction of these so-called counties fall in India's Union Territory of Ladakh,” Singh said in the written response.

The government is also aware that China is "developing infrastructure in the border regions".

"Government gives careful and special attention to improvement of infrastructure for the development of border areas, in order to facilitate the economic development of these areas, as also to meet India's strategic and security requirements," the MoS said.

The budget allocation for border infrastructure have increased in the last decade (2014-2024). The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) alone has incurred three times the expenditure level compared to the decade before, the minister said.

"The length of the road networks, bridges and number of tunnels have all seen a substantial increase over the earlier period. This has helped provide connectivity to the local population and better logistical support for our armed forces," he added.

The government continues to keep a constant watch on all developments having a bearing on India's security and takes all the necessary measures to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity, the minister underlined.