China continues to illegally occupy approx 38,000 sq km of Indian territory: Govt
India Today
According to the government, China continues to illegally occupy approximately 38,000 square km of Indian territory.
China continues to be in illegal occupation of approximately 38,000 square km of Indian territory in the Union Territory of Ladakh for the last six decades, the government said in Lok Sabha on Friday.
Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan said that Pakistan illegally ceded 5,180 sq km of Indian territory in Shaksgam Valley to China in 1963 from areas illegally occupied by it.
“China continues to be in illegal occupation of approximately 38,000 sq kms of Indian territory in the Union Territory of Ladakh for the last six decades,” he said in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha.
“Further, under the so-called China-Pakistan ‘Boundary Agreement’ signed in 1963, Pakistan illegally ceded 5,180 sq kms. of Indian territory in Shaksgam Valley from areas illegally occupied by Pakistan in Union Territory of Ladakh to China,” Muraleedharan said.
He said the government of India has never recognised the so-called China-Pakistan ‘Boundary Agreement’ of 1963 and has consistently maintained that it is illegal and invalid.
“The fact that the entire Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh are an integral and inalienable part of India has been clearly conveyed to Pakistani and Chinese authorities several times,” he said.
To a separate question, Muraleedharan said the government has taken note of a bridge being constructed by China on Pangong lake.
