China calls India’s Ladakh place-naming “illegal” as MEA defends standardised names

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Tuesday rubbished China's objections to India's decision to assign standardised names to 28 strategic locations and geographical features in Ladakh, reiterating that the Union Territory is an integral and inalienable part of the country.Responding to media queries on China's remarks, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Beijing's denial would not alter India's territorial position.Our response to media queries regarding comments made by the Chinese side on Ladakh. https://t.co/guiOKfNImD pic.twitter.com/V1tk6dkIKH— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) October 13, 2026 "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," Jaiswal said.Clarifying the Centre's decision, he said the Ministry of Home Affairs' announcement was self-explanatory and stated that the 28 locations had been identified using standard place and feature names on the official Survey of India map in consultation with the Ladakh administration and local stakeholders.The exercise aims to facilitate accurate identification of the locations and improve public awareness, he added.China opposes India's moveEarlier on Tuesday, China strongly opposed India's move, claiming that the areas belonged to it. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Beijing had never recognised the Union Territory of Ladakh and described India's decision to standardise the names as "illegal and void".She also asserted that the western sector of the China-India boundary belonged to China.India formally announced the identification of the 28 locations on October 2. The list includes Gogra and Hot Spring, which emerged as key friction points during the 2020 military standoff between Indian and Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh.China Opposes India's Move To Name 28 Strategic Locations In Ladakh, Calls It ‘Illegal And Invalid’Other locations include Kuksel, Chapchingal Pass, Kanishka Peak, Zorawar Peak, Parpik Glacier and Shachmirik Pass.The border standoff began in May 2020 following a violent clash near Pangong Lake. Both countries initiated disengagement at several friction points in 2022, although the boundary dispute has remained a longstanding source of tension between the two neighbours.

China on Tuesday strongly opposed India’s decision to assign standardised names to 28 strategic locations and geographical features in Ladakh, claiming that the areas belong to it. Beijing described the move as “illegal and invalid” and maintained that it would not change China’s position on the disputed boundary.The reaction came after India’s Ministry of Home Affairs announced standardised names for 28 locations in Ladakh, including key border friction points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The move is aimed at improving official maps, ensuring accurate identification of locations and increasing public awareness of the sensitive border region.China says India's publication of Ladakh place names "illegal, void"China has never recognized the so-called "Union Territory of Ladakh" illegally and unilaterally established by India and firmly opposes India's publication of "standard place names in Ladakh," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning on Tuesday.Such moves by the Indian side are illegal and null and void, and cannot alter the fact that the western section of the China-India boundary area has always belonged to China, Mao said.She made the remarks in response to a question at Tuesday's press briefing after the government of India said it had identified 28 locations in Ladakh by standard names on an official map. #ChinaIndia #Ladakh#India #AksaiChin #PangongLake #Parigas#GalwanValleyClash#BorderIssue #TerritorialSovereignty #InternationalLaw#ChinaMilitary #ChinaMilBugle— China Military Bugle (@ChinaMilBugle) October 13, 2026China rejects India’s decisionAddressing a media briefing in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said, “China has never recognised the so-called ‘Union Territory of Ladakh’ unilaterally and illegally established by India.”She added that Beijing “firmly opposes India’s announcement of so-called standard names”.Mao further claimed that the decision would not affect China’s territorial claims in the region.“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,” she said.China’s strong response highlights how sensitive the boundary issue remains, with even the naming of geographical locations drawing objections from Beijing.India identifies key border locationsOn October 2, India formally identified 28 strategic locations and geographical features in Ladakh on its official map. These include Gogra and Hot Spring, which have been important friction points between Indian and Chinese troops along the LAC.The government took the decision in consultation with the Ladakh administration. The exercise is intended to streamline official mapping, make it easier to identify geographical features accurately and improve public understanding of the border region, PTI reports.The inclusion of Gogra and Hot Spring is particularly significant because both locations were at the centre of tensions during the 2020 military standoff. They are also important for Indian patrolling activities along the LAC.Mother Works At Ladakh Petrol Pump With Baby Strapped To Her Back, Viral Video Draws Praise - WATCH2020 border standoff in focusThe eastern Ladakh border standoff began on May 5, 2020, following a violent clash between Indian and Chinese troops in the Pangong Lake area.The confrontation led to prolonged tensions along the border, with both countries beginning the disengagement process in 2022.Against this backdrop, India’s decision to standardise the names of strategic locations carries significance beyond routine map updates. China’s objection shows that disagreements over the boundary continue to influence relations between the two countries.Which locations has India named?Apart from Gogra and Hot Spring, the locations identified by India include Alisha Giri, a high-altitude peak, Brangsa, Chapchingal Pass, Kanishka Peak, Karun Pir mountain, Kuksel, Martand Giri, Parpik glacier, Skamri Glacier, Shachmirik Pass, Shkorga Valley, Zorawar Peak, Dehra Compass and Drak Karpo.Also Watch:The list also includes Jolmori, Kumarayana Point, Panglung, Rinchen Zangpo, Sakyasri Giri, Guru Rinpoche, Shamal Lungpa, Yangpa River, Marpa Lotsava Ri, Milarepa Kangri, Shiva Ri and Maheshwara Ri.Shamal Lungpa was used as a patrol and staging route in the 1950s.While India has presented the naming exercise as a step towards improving geographical identification and official mapping, China has challenged its validity on territorial grounds. The disagreement once again brings attention to the unresolved boundary dispute in the western sector.To get details on exclusive and budget-friendly property deals in Mumbai & surrounding regions, do visit: https://budgetproperties.in/

“China has never recognised the so-called ‘Union Territory of Ladakh’ unilaterally and illegally established by India,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a media briefing in Beijing

China opposes India naming strategic locations in Ladakh