China’s 2023 Map Inclusion of Arunachal Pradesh & Aksai Chin Sparks Diplomatic Controversy

China’s recent release of the 2023 edition of its ‘standard map’ has provoked a sharp response from India, as it includes contentious territories such as Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin as part of China’s sovereign territory. The map, which also encompasses Taiwan and the disputed South China Sea, has drawn criticism from India, with Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar reaffirming the country’s unequivocal stance on its territorial integrity.

China’s official release of the map was met with skepticism by India, who promptly rejected its claims over the contested regions. Foreign Minister Jaishankar underscored the point that Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin are integral parts of India, dismissing the notion of drawing a map as irrelevant in the face of established sovereignty. “This government is very clear about what our areas are. Making absurd claims does not make other people’s territories your own,” he emphasized.

The Map, revealed on Monday and made available on the website of China’s Ministry of Natural Resources-owned Standard Map Service, is based on China’s methodology for demarcating international borders. China’s assertive cartography has been a contentious issue globally, particularly with its ‘nine-dash line’ claim over the vast expanse of the South China Sea.

Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin have historically been subjects of territorial dispute between India and China since the 1962 war. The opposition Congress party voiced its strong objection to China’s portrayal of these regions, asserting that they are integral parts of India. The Congress criticized China for its repeated attempts to alter the names and boundaries of areas associated with other countries.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge remarked, “China has been a habitual criminal in the matter of changing the name of the areas associated with other countries and showing them on the maps.”

As diplomatic tensions escalate over the cartographic portrayal, the Congress has urged the Indian government to raise the issue of China’s intrusion into Indian territory at the upcoming G20 summit. This move reflects the gravity of the situation and the Congress’ commitment to defending India’s territorial integrity on the global stage.