New Delhi, July 2026 : India on Friday strongly accused China of violating its sovereignty by continuing its illegal occupation of territories in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh while carrying out infrastructure projects in areas that New Delhi considers an integral part of the country. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reiterated that India has consistently opposed such activities and has conveyed its concerns to Beijing on multiple occasions.
Addressing the weekly media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India’s position on sovereignty and territorial integrity remains unequivocal. He asserted that New Delhi has always respected China’s sovereignty and expects Beijing to reciprocate by respecting India’s territorial claims.
Jaiswal stated that China has been in illegal occupation of Indian territory in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh since 1963 and continues to undertake projects in these regions without India’s consent. He emphasised that these activities constitute a clear violation of India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“China has been in illegal occupation of Indian territories in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. We have consistently conveyed our concerns to the Chinese side. India firmly objects to all infrastructure and development projects being undertaken in these territories,” the MEA spokesperson said.
He added that India has never violated China’s sovereignty and has maintained a principled and consistent approach in dealing with bilateral issues.
The remarks came a day after External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Manila. The discussions reflected the complex nature of India-China relations, where diplomatic engagement continues alongside persistent differences over the boundary issue.
According to a statement released by the Chinese Foreign Ministry after the meeting, Wang Yi said recent interactions between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi during meetings in Kazan and Tianjin had helped place bilateral ties on a path of gradual improvement and stability.
The Chinese minister described India and China as partners rather than competitors, asserting that the two Asian powers should view each other as opportunities instead of strategic threats. He said mechanisms for bilateral dialogue had gradually resumed, border areas had largely remained peaceful, and trade between the two countries had reached record levels despite existing differences.
Wang also highlighted the importance of cooperation between India and China as two major emerging economies and leading voices of the Global South. He called for greater coordination on regional and international issues, arguing that stronger cooperation between the two countries would contribute to a more multipolar and balanced global order.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry further stated that Beijing remains willing to work with New Delhi to implement the consensus reached by the two leaders, maintain high-level political engagement, expand cooperation in trade, media and cultural exchanges, and properly manage sensitive issues through dialogue.
Despite these conciliatory remarks, India’s latest statement underscored that sovereignty remains a non-negotiable issue in bilateral relations. New Delhi has repeatedly maintained that normalisation of ties cannot be separated from peace and stability along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and respect for India’s territorial integrity.
The latest exchange highlights the dual track that continues to define India-China relations. While both countries are seeking to expand cooperation in trade, diplomacy and multilateral forums, longstanding disputes over the boundary, particularly in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, continue to cast a shadow over the broader relationship.
India’s renewed objection to Chinese infrastructure projects reinforces its longstanding position that any development activity undertaken by Beijing in territories claimed by India is illegal and unacceptable, irrespective of ongoing diplomatic engagement between the two na
