India has reiterated that Ladakh is an integral part of the country, rejecting China's objections to its recent move to standardise the names of 28 locations and geographical features in the Union Territory.
The exchange followed Beijing's criticism of India's updated official maps. Responding to questions about China's statements, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "It is reiterated that the UT of Ladakh is an integral and inalienable part of India. No amount of denial by the Chinese side can change this established fact."
The diplomatic exchange came after the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued an official notification standardising the names of 28 locations and geographical features across Ladakh for official maps.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning objected to the move, maintaining that Beijing had never recognised the territory and alleging that India had acted unilaterally. Mao said, "The move is illegal and invalid and cannot change the fact that the relevant areas in the western sector of the China-India boundary have always belonged to China."
Rejecting China's objections, Jaiswal said the MEA's earlier statement explained the rationale behind the initiative. He clarified that the exercise covered 28 locations and geographical features within the Union Territory of Ladakh, which have been assigned standard names on official Survey of India maps.
The MEA said the names were finalised in consultation with the Union Territory's local administration and regional stakeholders.
Elaborating on the purpose of the exercise, the ministry stated, "The announcement mentions that the twenty-eight (28) places/features located in the UT of Ladakh have been identified with standard place and feature names on the official map of Survey of India, and it has been done in consultation with the Union Territory of Ladakh and local stakeholders. Identifying these places formally on the Survey of India map of UT of Ladakh is aimed at facilitating their accurate recognition and better awareness among the public at large."
The updated maps, formally adopted on October 2, include Gogra and Hot Spring, two locations along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) that were among the key friction points during the 2020 India-China military standoff. The standoff began following clashes near Pangong Lake.
The other locations and geographical features included in the updated cartography are Alisha Giri, Brangsa, Chapchingal Pass, Kanishka Peak, Karun Pir mountain, Kuksel, Martand Giri, Parpik Glacier, Skamri Glacier, Shachmirik Pass, Shkorga Valley, Zorawar Peak, Dehra Compass, Drak Karpo, Jolmori, Kumarayana Point, Panglung, Rinchen Zangpo, Sakyasri Giri, Guru Rinpoche, Shamal Lungpa, Yangpa River, Marpa Lotsava Ri, Milarepa Kangri, Shiva Ri and Maheshwara Ri.