Ladakh, J&K integral parts of India: MP Haneefa Jan

LEH: “Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir are integral parts of India, and we take pride in our democracy,” Ladakh MP Mohmad Haneefa Jan said on Thursday, hitting back at China over its opposition to India’s decision to standardise the names of 28 places and geographical features in Ladakh.

Responding to recent remarks by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning, the Independent MP said Beijing was frustrated by India’s strong border security posture. His remarks came amid renewed exchanges between the two countries over territorial claims along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

The Ministry of Home Affairs had announced on October 2 that 28 places and geographical features in Ladakh would be assigned standardised names on official Survey of India maps. The list includes Gogra and Hot Springs, both friction points along the LAC, besides peaks, passes, glaciers and other features in areas claimed by India, including parts of Aksai Chin.

The exercise, prepared in consultation with the Union Territory administration and local stakeholders, was intended to ensure accurate identification of geographical features and improve public awareness.

At a press briefing in Beijing on October 13, Mao Ning said China did not recognise what it termed the “so-called Union Territory of Ladakh”, alleging that it had been established unilaterally and illegally by India. She also opposed the publication of the standardised names, maintaining that the move could not alter China’s claim over the western sector of the India-China boundary.

The Chinese remarks drew a sharp response from the Leh Apex Body (LAB), a prominent political and religious grouping, which condemned Beijing’s position at a press conference in Leh on Thursday.

LAB co-chairman Chering Dorjay Lakrook said recorded history contained no reference to Chinese control over Ladakh and asserted that the region’s people had lived as part of India for the past 75 years. He urged the Union Home Ministry to condemn the Chinese statements in the strongest terms and make clear that India would not cede any part of Ladakh, including Aksai Chin, which remains under Chinese control but is claimed by India.

Climate activist and LAB member Sonam Wangchuk was among those present at the press conference.