Chicago – March 24, 2025
India has formally protested against China’s establishment of two new administrative divisions in the Hotan prefecture of Xinjiang, which include areas within the Indian-administered union territory of Ladakh in the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Indian government conveyed its objections through diplomatic channels, affirming that it does not recognise China’s claims over the region.
Minister of state for external affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh in a written response to parliament on Friday, reiterated India’s stance, stating: “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 its sovereignty over the area nor lend legitimacy to China’s illegal and forcible occupation of the same.”
The Indian government was asked in parliament whether it had formulated a strategic response to China’s growing administrative and infrastructural activities in Aksai Chin. Mr Singh said India was “aware” of these developments and closely monitors border infrastructure projects undertaken by Beijing.
“Government gives careful and special attention to the 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,” he said, reported the Press.
