India lodges ‘solemn protest’ with China over creation of ‘so-called counties’ in Hotan prefecture

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India on Friday stated it has lodged a “solemn protest” with China over creation of two new counties in Hotan prefecture, asserting that such strikes won’t lend legitimacy to Beijing’s “illegal and forcible” occupation in the area.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal (Image/YouTube)

India on Friday stated it has lodged a “solemn protest” with China over creation of two new counties in Hotan prefecture, asserting that such strikes won’t lend legitimacy to Beijing’s “illegal and forcible” occupation in the area.

In a powerful response, exterior affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated elements of these so-called counties fall in India’s Union Territory of Ladakh and that the Chinese motion could have no bearing on New Delhi’s constant place relating to its sovereignty.

China’s announcement on establishing the 2 counties got here days after particular representatives of the 2 nations resumed boundary talks that had been stalled for nearly 5 years.

“We have seen the announcement pertaining to the establishment of two new counties in Hotan Prefecture of China. Parts of jurisdiction of these so-called counties fall in India’s Union Territory of Ladakh,” Jaiswal stated.

“We have never accepted the illegal Chinese occupation of Indian territory in this area.”

“Creation of new counties will neither have a bearing on India’s long-standing and consistent position regarding our sovereignty over the area nor lend legitimacy to China’s illegal and forcible occupation of the same,” Jaiswal added.

He additional stated: “We have lodged a solemn protest with the Chinese side through diplomatic channels.”

The newest irritant in ties got here weeks after India and China ended an over four-and-a-half-year border standoff and introduced steps to scale back distrust. Following an understanding reached on 21 October, the 2 sides accomplished the disengagement of troops on the two remaining friction factors of Demchok and Depsang.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks on the margins of the BRICS Summit in Russia on 23 October and agreed to revive varied bilateral dialogue mechanisms, signalling an intention to normalise the relations.

At the almost 50-minute assembly, Modi underscored the significance of correctly dealing with variations and disputes and never permitting them to disturb peace and tranquillity in border areas.

Nearly 4 weeks later, the particular representatives on the border subject — India’s nationwide safety adviser Ajit Doval and China’s international minister Wang Yi — held talks in Beijing.

It was the primary dialogue below the framework of particular representatives in almost 5 years. During the talks, Doval and Wang centered on “positive” path for cross-border cooperation, together with resuming the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, river knowledge sharing and border commerce.

Except for the headline, the story has not been edited by DNA employees and is printed from PTI.