‘Ladakh Is Part of India’: MEA Rejects China’s Objections to Naming 28 Locations

India on Tuesday rejected China’s objections to the standardisation of place names in Ladakh, asserting that Beijing’s denial could not change the Union Territory’s status as an integral part of the country.

“It is reiterated that the UT of Ladakh is an integral and inalienable part of India. No amount of denial by the Chinese side can change this established fact,” Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.

The response followed China’s criticism of a Ministry of Home Affairs notification standardising the names of 28 locations and geographical features in Ladakh on official Survey of India maps.

WHAT CHINA SAID

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning questioned India’s authority to make the changes, describing the move as unilateral.

“The move is illegal and invalid and cannot change the fact that the relevant areas in the western sector of the China-India boundary have always belonged to China,” Mao claimed.

India rejected that position, with Jaiswal reiterating that the locations covered by the notification lie within the Union Territory of Ladakh.

INDIA SAYS LOCAL STAKEHOLDERS WERE CONSULTED

The MEA said the names had been standardised in consultation with the Ladakh administration and local stakeholders.

“Identifying these places formally on the Survey of India map of UT of Ladakh is aimed at facilitating their accurate recognition and better awareness among the public at large,” the ministry said.

Jaiswal added that the announcement was self-explanatory and covered 28 places and physical features identified by standard names on the official map.

GOGRA AND HOT SPRING AMONG LOCATIONS

The map update, formally adopted on October 2, includes Gogra and Hot Spring, both significant friction points during the military standoff along the Line of Actual Control that began in 2020.

Other locations and features covered include Kanishka Peak, Zorawar Peak, Parpik Glacier, Skamri Glacier, Chapchingal Pass, Shachmirik Pass, Shkorga Valley and Yangpa River.

The list also includes Alisha Giri, Brangsa, Karun Pir mountain, Kuksel, Martand Giri, Dehra Compass, Drak Karpo, Jolmori, Kumarayana Point, Panglung, Rinchen Zangpo, Sakyasri Giri, Guru Rinpoche, Shamal Lungpa, Marpa Lotsava Ri, Milarepa Kangri, Shiva Ri and Maheshwara Ri.

With inputs from ANI