NEW DELHI, June 28: Amid growing controversy over China showing parts of Arunachal Pradesh and large parts of Jammu and Kashmir as its territory in a latest map, India today made it clear that the depiction of cartographic maps did not change the reality on the ground.
Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said Arunachal Pradesh was an “integral and inalienable part of India” and it was told to China at the highest level.
The latest Chinese map shows Arunachal as Chinese territory. A large part of J&K is also shown as part of China.
The controversy erupted at a time when Vice-President Hamid Ansari is meeting Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang in Beijing today.
He is in China on an official visit to celebrate the 60th year of Panchsheel – the five principles for peaceful co-existence that once formed the bedrock of Sino-India ties.
“Depiction of cartographic maps does not change the reality on the ground,” Mr Akbaruddin said when his attention was drawn to the Chinese move.
Four days ago on June 24, speed boats of Chinese troops had intruded into the Pangong lake of Eastern Ladakh region in J&K.
According to reports, People’s Liberation Army troops in five high-speed boats came nearly six km inside the Indian portion of the lake on June 24 and retreated after more than two hours.
When asked about the reported incursion, Mr Akbaruddin said the sentinels of the country were there and they would act if there was any such situation.
The Pangong lake, located about 60 km from Leh, continues to remain a matter of dispute between the two neighbours and part of this salt water lake is under Chinese control in the Autonomous Region of Tibet.
Speculations are rife that Prime Minister Narendra Modi may broach the subject with the Chinese Prime Minister during the BRICS summit in Brazil next month.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki said that his Government objects to and condemns the Chinese claim on the north-eastern State.
He said the State Government wanted the Centre to talk to China over the issue. (UNI)
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