According to the reports on Friday (3 January 2025), India has strongly objected to China’s announcement of establishing two new counties, He’an and Hekang, in the Xinjiang region, which encompass parts of the disputed Aksai Chin area. This region, claimed by India as part of Ladakh, has been under Chinese control, a situation India deems as illegal occupation. The new administrative divisions have intensified tensions between the two countries amid sensitive boundary negotiations.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) criticized China’s unilateral move, reiterating India’s unwavering stance on its sovereignty over the area. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that the creation of these counties does not alter India’s position or legitimize China’s occupation. India has formally lodged a diplomatic protest, emphasizing its objection to these developments.
The announcement follows renewed boundary talks between India and China, with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi meeting in Beijing for the 23rd round of negotiations. These talks resumed after a three-year hiatus caused by the 2020 military standoff in eastern Ladakh, reflecting ongoing challenges in resolving border disputes.
The India-China border dispute remains a major obstacle to normalizing relations. Apart from Aksai Chin, India also contests the Shaksgam Valley, which Pakistan ceded to China in 1963. These unresolved territorial issues continue to strain bilateral ties and complicate efforts to achieve peace along the Line of Actual Control.
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