China’s new “map” claims all of Arunachal Pradesh, which it calls “Southern Tibet.” (File)
New Delhi:
China has responded to India’s objection to its new ‘default map’ – which claims ownership of Arunachal Pradesh and the Aksai Chin region of eastern Ladakh – calling it ‘the normal exercise of sovereignty in accordance with the law’ . Wang Xiaojian, spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in India, shared details of a briefing by Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin, saying: “We hope relevant parties remain objective and calm and do not overinterpret the issue.”
Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar on Tuesday had summarily rejected the new ‘map’ of China, telling DailyExpertNews in an exclusive interview that Beijing has a ‘habit’ of releasing such maps.
“China has issued maps showing areas that are not theirs. (It’s an) old habit. Just by issuing maps with parts of India… nothing changes. Our government is very clear about what our territory is. Making absurd claims doesn’t make other people’s territory yours,” he said.
READ | “Absurd claims don’t make…” S Jaishankar to DailyExpertNews on China’s new map
India has lodged a formal protest through diplomatic channels, Foreign Ministry spokesman Arindam Bagchi reported on X (formerly Twitter) following the release of the ‘map’.
Our response to media questions about China’s so-called 2023 ‘default map’: https://t.co/OZUwNRNritpic.twitter.com/sAmy20DEa6
— Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) August 29, 2023
“We reject the allegations as they have no basis. Such steps by the Chinese side only complicate the resolution of the border issue,” the Indian government said in its response.
Timing of the new map of China
The new ‘map’ of China comes days before India hosts the G20 summit in Delhi next weekend and shortly after last week’s ‘informal talk’ between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at South BRICS summit -Africa.
The Prime Minister had subsequently conveyed “India’s concerns about unresolved issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and other areas along the India-China border” to Mr Jinping.
READ | Prime Minister Modi and Xi Jinping agree on “rapid de-escalation” in Ladakh
The two leaders agreed to work for a “quick de-escalation” along the LAC, where tensions have been high since June 2020 – when the two sides clashed in the Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh.
Mr Jinping is due in Delhi next week to attend the G20 summit.
India over China ‘renames’ places in Arunachal
In April, the Indian government rejected China’s bid to rename 11 sites in Arunachal Pradesh, which it dubs “Zangnan,” — Beijing’s third such blatant move after 2018 and 2021 — claiming that the northeastern state that always has been and always will be. an integral part of India.
READ |“Invented Names”: India rejects China’s ‘renaming’ of places in Arunachal
“We have seen such reports. This is not the first time China has made such an effort. We reject this outright,” Mr. Bagchi had said at the time, adding, “Arunachal Pradesh is, was and always will be an integral and inalienable country. part of India. Attempting to assign invented names will not change this reality.’
Opposition attacks Prime Minister Modi
Meanwhile, China’s new ‘map’ has sparked a political row in India, with Congressman Rahul Gandhi taking on Prime Minister Modi today and demanding a response from the Prime Minister.
READ | “All Ladakh Knows…”: Rahul Gandhi after China releases new map
“I have been saying for years that what the Prime Minister said, that not an inch of land has been lost in Ladakh, is a lie. All of Ladakh knows that China has committed a transgression. This card issue is very serious. They have taken the land. The prime minister should say something about it,” Gandhi said.
