New Delhi, July 24, 2026 : India on Friday strongly objected to China’s infrastructure projects in territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh that New Delhi considers its sovereign territory, with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) accusing Beijing of illegally occupying parts of the region and violating India’s territorial integrity.
Speaking at the weekly media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated India’s long-standing position on sovereignty and territorial integrity, stating that New Delhi has consistently raised these concerns with Beijing.
“When it comes to sovereignty issues, it is actually India that should be and is raising them. India does not violate China’s sovereignty in any manner and has been consistent,” Jaiswal said.
The MEA further alleged that China has remained in illegal occupation of Indian territories in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh since 1963 and criticised Beijing for undertaking development projects in areas claimed by India.
“There are Chinese projects on territories in Jammu & Kashmir that belong to India, and we object to that,” Jaiswal asserted, reaffirming that India does not recognise any activities carried out by China in these regions.
The remarks came a day after External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Manila, where both leaders discussed bilateral relations and regional issues.
According to a statement issued by China’s Foreign Ministry, Wang Yi said that recent engagements between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi had helped place bilateral relations on the path of improvement.
Describing China and India as “partners, not competitors,” Wang stated that both countries should strengthen cooperation, maintain peace along the border, expand trade and cultural exchanges, and properly manage differences through dialogue.
The Chinese side also emphasised that both nations, as major developing economies and representatives of the Global South, should work together to promote regional stability, economic cooperation and a multipolar international order.
India, however, maintained its firm position that issues concerning sovereignty and territorial integrity remain non-negotiable, reiterating its objection to Chinese activities in territories it considers an integral part of the country.
