India protests China`s 2 new counties in Ladakh region

India has lodged a protest with China over the announcement of two new counties in Hotan prefecture, as parts of these fall within the Union Territory of Ladakh.

Randhir Jaiswal, spokesman for the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), said this on Friday.

Randhir Jaiswal, spokesman for the Indian Foreign Ministry, said, “We have seen the announcement pertaining to the establishment of two new counties in Hotan Prefecture of China. Parts of jurisdiction of these so-called counties fall in India's Union Territory of Ladakh.”

This is the first time that the two Himalayan neighbors have publicly raised an issue of discomfort since Beijing and New Delhi moved to normalize ties late last year following a border pact along the disputed Line of Actual Control (LAC).

New Delhi’s statement came after Beijing last week announced the establishment of two new counties - He'an County and Hekang County - both of which are administered by Hotan Prefecture.

India has “never accepted the illegal Chinese occupation” of its territory,” said Jaiswal.

 “We will continue to monitor and take necessary measures to protect our interests,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated regarding China's plan to build a mega dam on the Brahmaputra river.

Beijing recently announced its plan to construct the dam in Tibet. In its first official response, New Delhi urged Beijing to ensure that downstream states along the Brahmaputra are not adversely affected by activities in upstream areas.

Source: Agencies