New Delhi, Mar 21 (UNI) India has registered its solemn protest with China through diplomatic channels over the announcement by Beijing on the establishment of so-called two new counties in Hotan prefecture of China, which fall in India's Union Territory of Ladakh, Parliament was told.

Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh, said in the Lok Sabha, that India has never accepted the illegal Chinese occupation of the Indian Territory in this area.

Creation of new counties will neither have a bearing on India's long-standing and consistent position regarding India’s sovereignty over the area, nor lend legitimacy to China's illegal and forcible occupation of the same. Government of India has registered its solemn protest over these developments through diplomatic channels, he added.

Government is aware that China is developing infrastructure in the border regions. Government gives careful and special attention to improvement of infrastructure for the development of border areas, in order to facilitate the economic development of these areas, as also to meet India’s strategic and security requirements.

He said the budget allocation for border infrastructure has increased in the last decade (2014-2024).

The length of the road networks, bridges and number of tunnels have all seen a substantial increase over the earlier period. This has helped provide connectivity to the local population and better logistical support for our armed forces, MoS said.

Government continues to keep a constant watch on all developments having a bearing on India’s security and takes all the necessary measures to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity, he added.

UNI RN