Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Friday said that India has lodged protest with China through diplomatic channels over the establishment of two new counties in the Hotan Prefecture since parts of their jurisdiction fall in the Union Territory of Ladakh. He further said that India has expressed its concern to China over the mega hydropower project on the Yarlung Zangbo river (Tibetan name for the Brahmaputra) and urged it to ensure that the interests of the downstream states are not affected by it.
In what is being seen as yet another move by China to assert territorial claim, the country announced creation of two new counties, which encompass a major part of Indian territory. Responding to a question over these two counties, Randhir Jaiswal said: "We have seen the announcement pertaining to the establishment of two new counties in Hotan Prefecture of China. Parts of jurisdiction of these so-called counties fall in India's Union Territory of Ladakh."
"We have never accepted the illegal Chinese occupation of Indian territory in this area. Creation of new counties will neither have a bearing on India's long-standing and consistent position regarding our sovereignty over the area nor lend legitimacy to China's illegal and forcible occupation of the same. We have lodged a solemn protest with the Chinese side through diplomatic channels," he added.
India Raises Concern Over Brahmaputra Dam Project In Tibet
Meanwhile, China is also set to establish a massive dam on the Brahmaputra river in Tibet as part of a mega hydropower project, estimated to cost around Rs 137 billion. The proposed construction of what is said to be the world's largest dam and planet's biggest infrastructure project on the Brahmaputra river in Tibet near the Indian border, was approved last week by China. This mega project has sparked concerns among the states situated in the downstreams due to the fear that the river bed might dry up and the entire river ecosystem might also become fragile.
India has thus raised the matter with China, expressing its concern over the mega project on the river and highlighted the need for consultion with the downstream countries to ensure their interests are not harmed by the activities in the upstream regions.
MEA Spokesperson Randhi Jaiswal said: "We have seen the information released by Xinhua on 25 December 2024 regarding a hydropower project on the Yarlung Tsangpo River in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. As a lower riparian state with established user rights to the waters of the river, 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."
"These have been reiterated, along with need for transparency and consultation with downstream countries, following the latest report. The Chinese side has been urged to ensure that the interests of downstream states of the Brahmaputra are not harmed by activities in upstream areas," he added.
China on December 27 defended the mega hydroproject on the Brahmaputra river in Tibet, saying that it will not have any "negative affect" on the lower riparian states and that the safety issues have been addressed.