‘Not an Inch of Ladakh’: Leh Apex Body hits back at China, reasserts India’s claim over Aksai Chin

LAC residents stand with Indian Army against China: Konchok Stanzin

LEH: The Leh Apex Body (LAB) on Thursday rejected China’s claim over parts of Ladakh, asserting that the region has historically been part of India and urging the Union Government to condemn Beijing’s remarks in the strongest possible terms.

Addressing a press conference in Leh, LAB co-chairman Chering Dorjay Lakrook said the body rejected a recent statement by a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson claiming that western Ladakh had always been part of China. He asserted that Ladakh had never been under Chinese control, adding that there was no such reference in recorded history.

“We are not prepared to give up even an inch of Ladakh, including Aksai Chin,” Lakrook said, describing the area as being under China’s illegal occupation. He urged the Union Home Ministry and the Government of India to send a clear message to Beijing in response to its claims.

Lakrook said the people of Ladakh had been living as part of India for the past 75 years and expected China to exercise caution before making statements on the region. LAB member and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and other members were also present at the press conference.

The remarks came after China opposed India’s decision to assign standardised names to 28 strategic locations and geographical features in Ladakh. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Tuesday that Beijing did not recognise the Union Territory of Ladakh, which she described as having been “unilaterally and illegally established by India”, and maintained that the areas belonged to China.

Konchok Stanzin, former councillor from Chushul in the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh, also rejected China’s claims, saying residents of border areas had stood alongside the Indian Army to defend the territory.

He recalled the role of civilians during the 1962 India-China war and said people living along the border, including younger generations, remained committed to defending the region.

“We want to remain with India as we have always done, and we have consistently resisted Chinese aggression,” Stanzin said, urging the Centre to reject Beijing’s statements firmly. He added that the claims were not in the interests of Ladakh’s people.

Former Nubra MLA Deldan Namgyal said residents of Ladakh had opposed Chinese actions since 1962 to protect their territory. He also referred to the region’s spiritual bond with the Dalai Lama, who left Tibet in 1959.

Namgyal said since 1962, the people of Ladakh have stood against China to protect their territory. “I also want to make one thing clear the people of Ladakh share a spiritual bond with His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who was forced to leave Tibet.”

“No one, whether in India or elsewhere, should assume that the people of Ladakh are agents of China. We have a spiritual enmity with China. We will always stand with India and continue to defend this sacred land,” he added.

“I appeal to the Government of India to condemn the Chinese statement at the highest level and in the strongest possible terms. Thank you.”