The External Affairs Ministry today said that India has urged the Chinese side to ensure that the interests of downstream states of the Brahmaputra are not harmed by activities in upstream areas. Replying to a query on the hydropower project on the Yarlung Tsangpo River in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that as a lower riparian state with established user rights to the waters of the river, New Delhi has reiterated its concerns. He stated that India has consistently expressed its views and concerns to the Chinese side over mega projects on rivers in their territory through expert-level as well as diplomatic channels. He added that the government will continue to monitor and take necessary measures to protect India’s interests.
Replying to another query, the spokesperson said they have seen the announcement pertaining to the establishment of two new counties in Hotan Prefecture of China. Parts of the jurisdiction of these so-called counties fall in India’s Union Territory of Ladakh. Mr Jaiswal stressed that India has never accepted the illegal Chinese occupation of Indian territory in this area. He further stated that the 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. He informed that India has lodged a solemn protest with the Chinese side through diplomatic channels.
