China Dismisses Indian Supreme Court Ruling on Ladakh as "Irrelevant"

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ICARO Media Group
Politics
14/12/2023 19h49

China has rejected the recent ruling by the Indian Supreme Court regarding the legal status of Ladakh, a region at the center of a contentious border dispute between the two countries. The Chinese government considers the judgment "irrelevant" to its territorial claims in the remote Himalayan region.

The Indian Supreme Court upheld Ladakh's status as separate from the reorganized former state of Jammu and Kashmir. This ruling was part of the court's decision to support the Indian government's decision in 2019 to revoke the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and bring it under federal administration. At the same time, Ladakh was established as a separate union territory.

Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning stated on Wednesday, "China has never recognized the so-called union territory of Ladakh set up unilaterally and illegally by India." She further emphasized that India's domestic judicial verdict does not alter the fact that the western section of the China-India border has always belonged to China.

This response from China comes in the wake of the Indian Supreme Court's ruling regarding Jammu and Kashmir, a long-standing territorial dispute with Pakistan. The court deemed the reorganization of Ladakh as a separate union territory valid and expressed hopes for statehood to be restored to Jammu and Kashmir in the future.

In her message, Mao reiterated China's consistent and clear-cut stance on the Kashmir issue, stating that it should be resolved peacefully and in accordance with the UN Charter, Security Council resolutions, and relevant bilateral agreements. She emphasized the need for dialogue and consultation among the concerned parties to maintain regional peace and stability.

The ruling by the Indian Supreme Court comes shortly after the 28th round of diplomatic talks between China and India, aimed at resolving the border dispute and tensions in the Ladakh region. The clash in the Galwan Valley in 2020, which resulted in casualties on both sides, significantly escalated tensions between the neighboring nations.

Despite ongoing efforts to disengage since September 2022, tensions persist along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) that separates Indian and Chinese-controlled territories. Both countries maintain a substantial military presence along the LAC and have deployed advanced weaponry.

The recent talks between the two countries have been described as "comprehensive, in-depth, and constructive," with positive progress made in negotiations. China's foreign ministry statement highlighted the commitment to maintaining the momentum of diplomatic and military negotiations and helping to settle the border-related issues in the Ladakh region promptly.

In conclusion, China's rejection of the Indian Supreme Court's ruling on Ladakh as "irrelevant" further underscores the complex and longstanding nature of the border dispute between the two countries. The need for peaceful resolution through dialogue and consultation remains crucial in maintaining regional peace and stability.

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