India has strongly dismissed China's recent objections regarding New Delhi's decision to assign standard names to 28 geographical features and locations within Ladakh. The Indian government reiterated its unwavering stance that the Union Territory of Ladakh remains an integral and inalienable part of the country.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, emphasized that "No amount of denial by the Chinese side can change this established fact." His comments followed China's vehement opposition to India's move, with Beijing labeling it "illegal and invalid."
Standardizing Ladakh's Geographical Names
Last week, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs initiated the process of assigning standard names to 28 places and geographical features across Ladakh. This initiative included key border friction points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), such as Gogra and Hot Spring.
Jaiswal clarified that these standardizations were carried out in consultation with the Union Territory of Ladakh administration and local stakeholders. The primary objective is to facilitate accurate recognition and enhance public awareness of these places on the official map of the Survey of India.
China's Counter-Claims and Objections
In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning expressed strong opposition to India's decision. She stated that China has never recognized what it termed the "so-called Union Territory of Ladakh" unilaterally established by India. Mao Ning asserted that India's move to publicize standardized names was "illegal and void" and could not alter China's long-held position that the western sector of the China-India boundary belongs to China.
China claimed that some of the locations named by India were either in disputed border areas or under its actual control, arguing that the announcement could not change its claims over these territories.
"It is reiterated that the UT (Union Territory) of Ladakh is an integral and inalienable part of India. No amount of denial by the Chinese side can change this established fact."
— Randhir Jaiswal, MEA Spokesperson
Despite China's strong rhetoric, India remains steadfast in its position, emphasizing that the factual and historical status of Ladakh as an integral part of India cannot be altered by any external claims or denials.