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India reaffirms Ladakh as integral territory amid China dispute
New Delhi has reasserted its sovereignty over the Union Territory of Ladakh, stating that Beijing's position cannot alter established facts. The statement comes as tensions persist over the disputed border region.
LSN India ·
India's Ministry of External Affairs has reiterated that Ladakh constitutes an integral and inalienable part of the Indian Union, dismissing any contrary claims from China. Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasized that New Delhi's assertion of sovereignty over the territory remains unaffected by external denials or objections.
The statement underscores India's firm stance on its territorial integrity in the contested Himalayan region. Ladakh, officially designated as a Union Territory in 2019 following the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir, has remained a flashpoint in India-China relations, particularly following the 2020 border clashes.
New Delhi's position reflects its broader approach to boundary disputes, asserting that historical facts and established administrative control form the basis for its claims. Officials have consistently maintained that India's constitutional and legal framework governing Ladakh is non-negotiable.
The reaffirmation comes amid ongoing diplomatic tensions between the two nations over their shared border, where military deployments have remained elevated since the 2020 Galwan Valley confrontation. Both countries have engaged in multiple rounds of military and diplomatic talks aimed at de-escalation, though fundamental disagreements persist over border demarcation.