China Challenges Ladakh’s Union Territory Status Amidst Claims on ‘Western Section of China-India Border

On December 13, for the second consecutive day, China expressed its disapproval of the Indian Supreme Court’s decision on December 11 regarding the status of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. Alongside this, China laid claim to the “western section of the China-India border,” citing historical events such as its armed invasion and the contested annexation of Tibet between 1949 and 1951.

In a press briefing on December 12, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning reiterated China’s long-standing stance on Kashmir, emphasizing the need for a peaceful resolution in accordance with the UN Charter, Security Council resolutions, and relevant bilateral agreements. Notably, Ladakh was not explicitly mentioned at this time.

On December 13, when questioned about the union territory of Ladakh during the daily briefing, Mao Ning stated, “China has never recognized 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.”

China had previously expressed its dissatisfaction in August 2019, terming India’s “reorganization” of Jammu and Kashmir as “unacceptable,” particularly objecting to the separation of Ladakh into a union territory. India’s Home Minister, Amit Shah, had affirmed in parliament that both Pakistan Occupied Kashmir and Aksai Chin were integral parts of Jammu and Kashmir.

In the year following the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s autonomy, China convened three closed meetings of the UN Security Council to discuss the matter, according to a report by thewire.in on December 12. The report also highlighted India’s consistent refusal, dating back to the Shimla agreement with Pakistan, to involve any third party in the Kashmir issue, asserting it as a strictly bilateral matter.

The border tensions escalated significantly in mid-2020 when Chinese troops went beyond traditional patrolling points in eastern Ladakh, leading to intense hand-to-hand combat at Galwan Valley and the tragic loss of 20 Indian soldiers and at least four Chinese troops. While multiple rounds of talks have facilitated de-escalation at various friction points, the standoff persists at two strategic locations. Notably, Aksai Chin has not been mentioned in any recent public statements by India, as outlined in the report.

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