Congress leader Pawan Khera has strongly criticised the government’s response to China’s establishment of two new counties in Hotan prefecture, incorporating Ladakh’s territory and urged the Centre to take the issue seriously.

We have never accepted the illegal Chinese occupation of Indian territory in this area, said the Ministry of External Affairs.

China has recently announced establishment of two new counties- Hean and Hekang - in Hotan prefecture, having a significant part of Aksai Chin into it. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that parts of jurisdiction of these "so-called counties" fall in India's Union Territory of Ladakh.

The Ministry of External Affairs protested against China’s establishment of new counties, which encroach on Indian territory in Ladakh. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasized India’s rejection of China’s illegal occupation and stated that these new counties will not affect India’s stance.

India has lodged protest with China after Beijing announced two new counties, parts of which, according to New Delhi, fall in the Himalayan region of Ladakh, officials said on Friday.

India has lodged a protest with China over the establishment of new counties in Hotan prefecture, which includes parts of Ladakh. New Delhi also expressed concerns about a new hydropower project on the Yarlung Tsangpo River in Tibet,

The Hotan prefecture contains parts of Aksai Chin that India accuses China of occupying and formation of the two new counties appears like Beijing firming up administrative measures in the region. The protest from the Indian side is significant as it comes against the backdrop of the December 18,