India has lodged a strong diplomatic protest with China over the establishment of two new counties in areas partially falling under the Union Territory of Ladakh. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) described the move as an "illegal occupation" of Indian territory.

On December 27, Chinese state media reported that Xinjiang’s government announced the creation of He'an and Hekang counties, to be administered by Hotan Prefecture. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal clarified that portions of these counties lie within Indian territory and reiterated India's rejection of China's claims.

“We have never accepted the illegal Chinese occupation of Indian territory in this area,” Jaiswal said. “The creation of new counties will not affect India’s longstanding position on sovereignty over this area, nor does it legitimize China's forcible occupation. India has lodged a formal protest through diplomatic channels.”

The county seats are located in Hongliu and Xeyidula Townships, respectively, as per Chinese media. This development comes amidst ongoing tensions between the two nations over territorial disputes in the region.

Concerns Over Brahmaputra Hydropower Project
India also raised objections to China’s construction of a hydropower project on the Yarlung Tsangpo River (Brahmaputra) in the Tibet Autonomous Region. The project, reported on December 25, has sparked concerns in India as a lower riparian state with established user rights to the river’s waters.

The MEA emphasized the importance of transparency and consultation with downstream countries and urged China to ensure that India’s interests are not adversely affected. "We have conveyed our concerns through expert-level and diplomatic channels and will continue to monitor developments to safeguard our interests," Jaiswal added.

India has consistently voiced its objections to unilateral actions by China that undermine bilateral and regional stability.

India has lodged a strong diplomatic protest with China over the establishment of two new counties in areas partially falling under the Union Territory of Ladakh. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) described the move as an "illegal occupation" of Indian territory.

On December 27, Chinese state media reported that Xinjiang’s government announced the creation of He'an and Hekang counties, to be administered by Hotan Prefecture. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal clarified that portions of these counties lie within Indian territory and reiterated India's rejection of China's claims.

“We have never accepted the illegal Chinese occupation of Indian territory in this area,” Jaiswal said. “The creation of new counties will not affect India’s longstanding position on sovereignty over this area, nor does it legitimize China's forcible occupation. India has lodged a formal protest through diplomatic channels.”

The county seats are located in Hongliu and Xeyidula Townships, respectively, as per Chinese media. This development comes amidst ongoing tensions between the two nations over territorial disputes in the region.

Concerns Over Brahmaputra Hydropower Project
India also raised objections to China’s construction of a hydropower project on the Yarlung Tsangpo River (Brahmaputra) in the Tibet Autonomous Region. The project, reported on December 25, has sparked concerns in India as a lower riparian state with established user rights to the river’s waters.

The MEA emphasized the importance of transparency and consultation with downstream countries and urged China to ensure that India’s interests are not adversely affected. "We have conveyed our concerns through expert-level and diplomatic channels and will continue to monitor developments to safeguard our interests," Jaiswal added.

India has consistently voiced its objections to unilateral actions by China that undermine bilateral and regional stability.