India clarifies UN map resolution vote, reiterates stance on Jammu and Kashmir

The MEA said the resolution neither adopts nor authenticates any particular world map and does not address political cartography

NEW DELHI: The ministry of external affairs on Sunday said India had voted in favour of a United Nations General Assembly resolution promoting the use of equal-area world map projections. It also made it clear that the measure does not endorse any particular map and that India’s sovereign territory must be depicted according to its official map. The MEA said the resolution neither adopts nor authenticates any particular world map and does not address political cartography, including international boundaries, disputed territories or place names. India nevertheless used its explanation of vote to reiterate its position on Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. “India’s sovereign territory, including the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, must be depicted in accordance with India’s official map. Any inaccurate or misleading depiction is unacceptable. Our position on India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity is clear, consistent and non-negotiable.”

The UN General Assembly adopted the resolution, titled “Correct the Map: Rebalancing Global Cartographic Representation and Promoting Equitable Representation of the World’s Regions, Particularly Africa”, on September 4 by a vote of 164 to one. The resolution encourages the use of equal-area projections that preserve the relative sizes of continental landmasses. However, India clarified that it should not be interpreted as endorsing any specific map, projection or depiction of national boundaries. “We believe that the resolution should be understood as supporting the broader use and consideration of equal-area map projections and not as endorsing the Equal Earth projection or any other specific map projection,” Indian diplomat Raghoo Puri said while explaining India’s vote.