New Delhi: The Indian government on Friday reacted sharply to the recent attempt of China to create two new counties, including one encompassing a large part of India's territory that it illegally occupied in Aksai Chin. "We never accepted illegal Chinese occupation of Indian territory in this area," said MEA on China establishing two new counties in Hotan prefecture.
In a strong reaction, New Delhi said 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.
India never accepted illegal occupation: MEA
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India has never accepted the "illegal" Chinese occupation of Indian territory in the area. "We have seen the announcement pertaining to the establishment of 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," he said.
"We have never accepted the illegal Chinese occupation of Indian territory in this area," he said.
"Creation of new counties will neither have a bearing on India's long-standing and consistent position regarding our sovereignty over the area nor lend legitimacy to China's illegal and forcible occupation of the same," Jaiswal added.
He further said: "We have lodged a solemn protest with the Chinese side through diplomatic channels."
China's two new counties
Xinhua, the state-run news agency of China, reported this week that the People's Government of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has announced the creation of two new counties – He'an County and Hekang County. Both counties, administered by Hotan Prefecture, have been approved by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council. Hongliu and Xeyidula townships have been designated as the administrative headquarters for He’an and Hekang, respectively. Notably, He'an County covers a significant portion of the 38,000 sq. km area in Aksai Chin, which India claims China has illegally occupied.
China must ensure the interests of downstream states: MEA on China hydro projects near Brahmaputra
Reacting to the media reports claiming the Chinese side constructing a hydropower project on the Yarlung Tsangpo River in the Tibet Autonomous Region, the spokesperson said, "We have seen the information released by Xinhua on 25 December 2024 regarding a hydropower project on the Yarlung Tsangpo River in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. As a lower riparian state with established user rights to the waters of the river, we have consistently expressed, through expert-level as well as diplomatic channels, our views and concerns to the Chinese side over mega projects on rivers in their territory."
"These have been reiterated, along with the need for transparency and consultation with downstream countries, following the latest report. The Chinese side has been urged to ensure that the interests of downstream states of the Brahmaputra are not harmed by activities in upstream areas. We will continue to monitor and take necessary measures to protect our interests," he added.
(With inputs from agency)
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