India lodges protest with China over creation of two new counties in Hotan prefecture : MEA

New Delhi: Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday said that India has lodged a “solemn protest” with China over the creation of two new counties in Hotan prefecture.
The MEA said that the creation of new counties would not affect India’s sovereignty or legitimise China’s illegal occupation.
In a weekly media briefing, Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “India lodged a solemn protest with China through diplomatic channels, after China created two new counties in the Hotan prefecture.”
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), parts of these newly-created counties fall within the Union Territory of Ladakh, a region that is an integral part of India’s sovereign territory.
“We have lodged a strong protest with the Chinese side over their announcement regarding the establishment of two new counties in Hotan Prefecture, as parts of these fall in the Union Territory of Ladakh,” the MEA stated.
Responding sharply, New Delhi asserted that the creation of these counties does not alter India’s long standing position regarding its sovereignty over the area, nor does it legitimise China’s “illegal and forcible” occupation.
Randhir Jaiswal reaffirmed India’s stance, stating, “We have never accepted the illegal Chinese occupation of Indian territory in this area.”
The spokesperson said, “We have noted the announcement regarding the establishment of two new counties in Hotan prefecture of China. Jurisdiction of these so-called counties extends into India’s Union Territory of Ladakh.”
He further underscored India’s objection, adding, “The creation of new counties will neither impact our consistent position on sovereignty nor lend any legitimacy to China’s unlawful actions.”
Replying to another query on hydropower projects on the Yarlung Tsangpo River in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, Jaiwal said that India has urged the Chinese side to ensure that the interests of downstream states of the Brahmaputra are not harmed by activities in upstream areas.
The spokesperson said that as a lower riparian state with established user rights to the waters of the river, New Delhi has reiterated its concerns.
“India has consistently expressed its views and concerns to the Chinese side over mega projects on rivers in their territory through expert-level as well as diplomatic channels…adding that Government will continue to monitor and take necessary measures to protect India’s interests”.
UNI