The Indian government has lodged a formal protest with China over the establishment of two new counties in the Hotan Prefecture of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. One of these counties, Hekang, incorporates significant portions of the Aksai Chin region, which India considers part of its Union Territory of Ladakh but has been under Chinese control since the 1950s.

In a statement issued in response to media queries, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) emphasized Indias firm stance on the matter, stating, “We have never accepted the illegal Chinese occupation of Indian territory in this area. The creation of new counties will neither have a bearing on Indias long-standing and consistent position regarding our sovereignty over the area nor lend legitimacy to Chinas illegal and forcible occupation of the same.” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that a “solemn protest” had been lodged through diplomatic channels.

The establishment of the counties, named Hean and Hekang, was approved by Chinas Communist Party Central Committee and State Council, as reported by the Chinese state news agency Xinhua. While Beijing has characterized this administrative move as part of its internal governance, New Delhi sees it as a deliberate attempt to bolster Chinas claim over disputed territories, further straining bilateral relations.

The contested region of Aksai Chin has been a flashpoint in India-China relations for decades. It was a focal point of the 1962 Sino-Indian War, and tensions persist with occasional border skirmishes in the broader Ladakh region. Despite the establishment of new administrative divisions, India maintains its claim over Aksai Chin as an integral part of its territory.

Concerns Over Chinas Mega-dam Project in the Himalayas

Adding to the geopolitical tensions, China has announced plans to construct the worlds largest hydropower project on the Yarlung Tsangpo River in Tibet, which becomes the Brahmaputra River upon entering India. The proposed dam, estimated to cost $137 billion, is situated in the ecologically sensitive Himalayan region and has raised significant concerns in India and other downstream nations.

The Indian government, while reiterating its established rights as a lower riparian state, has urged Beijing to ensure that the interests of downstream states are not harmed. “We have consistently expressed, through expert-level as well as diplomatic channels, our views and concerns to the Chinese side over mega projects on rivers in their territory,” the MEA stated.

Indias apprehensions stem from the potential environmental and economic impact of such a massive project, which could disrupt the ecological balance in the northeastern states of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. Concerns also include reduced water flow, which could adversely affect agriculture and livelihoods downstream.

Broader Implications for Regional Security

Broader Implications for Regional Security

Chinas actionsboth the administrative restructuring of contested territories and the planned dam constructionare seen as exacerbating existing tensions in an already volatile region. These developments come amid stalled bilateral negotiations to resolve the border dispute and continuing standoffs along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

India has reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity. On the hydropower issue, it has emphasized the importance of transparency and consultation with downstream nations, highlighting the need for cooperative water resource management in the region.