India protests China’s establishment of new counties in Ladakh, expresses concerns over hydropower project on Brahmaputra
India China border dispute: India has lodged a formal protest with China following the announcement by the Chinese government to establish two new counties in the northwest Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, which are partly located in India’s Union Territory of Ladakh. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) expressed its objection through diplomatic channels, reiterating that India does not accept the illegal Chinese occupation of the disputed region.
On December 27, Chinese state media outlet Xinhua reported that China’s government had officially approved the creation of He’an County and Hekang County. These counties will be administered by Hotan Prefecture in the Xinjiang region, as per the announcement. The report further stated that the county seats for He’an and Hekang are Hongliu Township and Xeyidula Township, respectively.
Reacting to the announcement, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasised that parts of the jurisdiction of the newly established counties fall within India's Union Territory of Ladakh, a region that India claims as part of its sovereign territory. Jaiswal reiterated India's longstanding position on the matter, firmly rejecting China’s illegal occupation of this area.
“We have seen the announcement regarding the establishment of two new counties in Hotan Prefecture of China. Parts of the jurisdiction of these so-called counties fall within India’s Union Territory of Ladakh. We have never accepted the illegal Chinese occupation of Indian territory in this area,” Jaiswal stated. “The creation of these new counties will neither affect India’s position regarding our sovereignty over the region, nor will it lend any legitimacy to China’s illegal occupation,” he added.
India has now formally conveyed its objections to China through diplomatic means, maintaining that such actions do not alter India’s territorial stance. India has consistently maintained its sovereignty over Ladakh, despite China's ongoing illegal occupation in parts of the region.
In addition to the issue of the newly established counties, India also raised concerns over China’s ongoing construction of a hydropower project on the Brahmaputra, known as the Yarlung Tsangpo River in China’s Tibet Autonomous Region. On December 25, Chinese state media reported that China is developing this hydropower project, which has sparked concerns in India due to its position as a lower riparian state dependent on the river.
India has consistently expressed its concerns about China's mega-projects on rivers flowing into its territory, particularly in relation to the potential impact on the water flow and resources in downstream areas. India has communicated its concerns through diplomatic channels and expert-level discussions, urging China to engage in transparent consultations with downstream countries before proceeding with such projects.
“We have conveyed our concerns to China regarding their hydropower project on the Brahmaputra River. As a lower riparian state, India has established user rights to the waters of the river and has consistently raised these concerns. The Chinese side has been urged to ensure that activities in upstream areas do not harm the interests of downstream countries,” Jaiswal explained. “India will continue to monitor the situation closely and take necessary measures to protect its interests,” he concluded.
- With inputs from agencies
