China released a new map that claims Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin as its own territories.

China’s move is seen as a provocation ahead of the G20 meeting in New Delhi.

India has strongly expressed its displeasure towards China’s recent release of a new map that lays claim to Indian territories, specifically Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin. The Indian government lodged a formal protest through diplomatic channels, vehemently rejecting these claims as unsubstantiated. The Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement emphasizing that China’s actions only serve to complicate the ongoing boundary dispute between the two countries.

This move by China has ignited a significant controversy. The new ‘standard map’ released by the People’s Republic of China not only asserts ownership over Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin but also extends claims over Taiwan and a substantial portion of the South China Sea. This is in direct contradiction to India’s consistent stance that Arunachal Pradesh remains an integral part of its sovereign territory.

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China’s assertion of territorial claims comes despite India’s repeated assertions to the contrary. The map’s publication disregards India’s stance on Arunachal Pradesh’s status as an integral part of the nation.

China’s official stance on the matter, as conveyed through the Chinese website Global Times, attempts to justify the ‘standard map’ by stating that it is a compilation based on China’s interpretation of international boundaries, encompassing those of various countries around the world.

The map also encompasses China’s long-standing claim over Taiwan, an island nation that Beijing insists is a part of its territory. This assertion aligns with Chinese President Xi Jinping’s steadfast goal of integrating Taiwan with the mainland.

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This provocative move from China comes at a sensitive time, just ahead of the G20 meeting scheduled to take place in New Delhi. This summit will be attended by global leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping. Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently had a brief meeting with Jinping during the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg. During this interaction, Prime Minister Modi underscored the importance of maintaining peace and stability along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and respecting this boundary for the normalization of bilateral relations between India and China.

Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra emphasized the significance of peace and tranquility along the border areas and adhering to the LAC for fostering a stable and positive India-China relationship, as highlighted by Prime Minister Modi during his engagement with President Jinping.