India says UN world map must accurately represent J&K and Ladakh
India has said that any world map prepared under the United Nations must represent Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh according to India’s official map. The Ministry of External Affairs warned that any depiction that is inaccurate or misleading would not be acceptable to India.
The statement followed India’s support for a UN General Assembly resolution adopted on September 4. The resolution seeks to encourage the use of equal-area map projections so that the relative sizes of continents are represented more accurately.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal clarified that India’s vote did not amount to approval of any particular world map, projection or representation of international borders.
He said India’s sovereign territory, including the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, must be shown in accordance with the country’s official position. He added that India’s stance on its sovereignty and territorial integrity remains firm.
The resolution, sponsored by Togo, received 164 votes in favour. Estonia, Georgia, Lithuania, Moldova, Serbia and Ukraine abstained, while the United States was the only country to vote against it.