“India Rejects China’s Unfounded Territory Claims”
New Delhi (August 29) Wya News: In a firm response on Tuesday, India’s Minister of External Affairs, S. Jaishankar, dismissed China’s assertion of territorial claims through what it calls its “standard map.” China had unveiled its 2023 version of this map, which included Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin within its borders.
Minister Jaishankar pointed out that China’s history includes a pattern of presenting maps that lay claim to territories not rightfully theirs, labelling it an “age-old habit.” This latest instance of claiming Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin as Chinese territories fits into this pattern.
Also Read: China released a new map that claims Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin as its own territories.
The newly released map also reiterated the controversial “nine-dash line,” asserting Chinese sovereignty over the South China Sea, a feature consistent with previous versions of the map.
Jaishankar highlighted the consistent nature of China’s behavior, stating that such claims are not a recent development but have been ongoing since the 1950s. He emphasized that merely asserting such unfounded claims does not change the reality of territorial boundaries. Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin are integral parts of India, and India remains steadfast in its position.
Speaking at an event hosted by NDTV, Jaishankar reiterated India’s clear stance on its territories and its commitment to safeguarding them. He underlined the fallacy of assuming that making audacious claims could alter the ownership of other nations’ lands, asserting the importance of clarity in this matter.
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In response to China’s map, India lodged a vigorous protest, conveying its strong dissatisfaction through diplomatic channels. Arindam Bagchi, the spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs, stated that the claims made by China in the 2023 map are baseless and only contribute to the complexity of resolving the longstanding boundary issue.
This incident is not an isolated one. In the past, China had attempted to rename several places in Arunachal Pradesh, a move that India flatly rejected. India firmly asserted that these regions are integral parts of the country and renaming them does not change that reality. China’s habit of renaming and claiming territories that are rightfully part of other nations has been evident in its previous attempts to standardize geographical names in Arunachal Pradesh, even though India strongly opposes these actions.
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