"China has never recognised the so-called union territory of Ladakh set up unilaterally and illegally by India," said foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning, addressing the Indian top court's verdict for the second consecutive day.
The Wire Staff
December 14, 2023
New Delhi: China addressed the Supreme Court of India’s order upholding the dilution of Jammu and Kashmir’s constitutional autonomy for the second consecutive day on Wednesday, saying that the verdict “does not change the fact that the western section of the China-India border has always belonged to China”.
On Tuesday, the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said that China’s position on Kashmir has been “consistent and clear-cut” – that it needs to be resolved peacefully and appropriately in accordance with the UN Charter, Security Council resolutions and relevant bilateral agreement – but did not explicitly refer to Ladakh.
On Wednesday, she was asked about the union territory of Ladakh at the daily briefing, to which she said, “China has never recognised the so-called union territory of Ladakh set up unilaterally and illegally by India. India’s domestic judicial verdict does not change the fact that the western section of the China-India border has always belonged to China.”
Ever since India signed the Shimla agreement with Pakistan, New Delhi has refused to accept any third-party’s role in Kashmir, asserting that it is solely a bilateral matter.
In August 2019, China said the “reorganisation” of Jammu and Kashmir was “unacceptable”, particularly the separation of Ladakh into a union territory. At the time, Union home minister Amit Shah told parliament that both Pakistan Occupied Kashmir and Aksai Chin are integral parts of Jammu and Kashmir.
In the year after J&K’s autonomy was revoked, China convened three closed meetings of the UN Security Council to discuss the matter.
In mid-2020, Chinese troops went beyond the traditional patrolling points in eastern Ladakh, which resulted in intense hand-to-hand fighting at Galwan Valley and the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers and at least four Chinese troops.
While the armies have de-escalated at multiple friction points after multiple rounds of talks, the stand-off continues at two strategic points. India has not mentioned Aksai Chin in any public statements in recent years.
Source: thewire.in