India Protests China's Creation of "New Counties" in Ladakh Region

India has strongly protested China's establishment of two new counties—He'an and Hekang—in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, some of which fall within India's Union Territory of Ladakh. The announcement was made by China's state media, Xinhua, on December 27, and has drawn swift diplomatic responses from New Delhi.

India's Stand on Sovereignty

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, "We have never accepted the illegal Chinese occupation of Indian territory in this area." India maintains its consistent position on sovereignty over Ladakh and has lodged a formal protest with Beijing through diplomatic channels.

The Chinese Central Committee of the Communist Party and the State Council approved the counties, which will be administered by Hotan Prefecture. However, India has asserted that this administrative move does not legitimize China's occupation of Indian territory.

Context of the Dispute

The establishment of these counties further complicates the already tense India-China border situation. The regions in question have long been a source of contention, particularly after the 2020 Galwan Valley clashes in Ladakh. India continues to monitor developments closely while reaffirming its territorial claims.

Hydropower Project on Brahmaputra

In a related development, India has also voiced concerns over China's construction of a hydropower project on the Brahmaputra River (Yarlung Tsangpo) in Tibet. As a lower riparian state, India has emphasized its user rights and sought transparency from China to ensure that downstream interests are not harmed.

India’s Diplomatic Response

India has reiterated its position on sovereignty and called for greater transparency in China's infrastructure projects affecting shared resources. "We will continue to monitor and take necessary measures to protect our interests," Jaiswal assured.

This dual protest underscores India's broader concerns over China's expanding influence and activities in sensitive border and riparian areas. These developments are likely to add strain to the already fraught India-China relations.