Times of India1 hour agoPolitics2 min readIndia

India formally names 28 Ladakh geographical features to assert sovereignty, including sites in Aksai Chin and Gilgit-Baltistan

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The Indian government has officially named 28 geographical features in Ladakh, including peaks, glaciers, passes and water bodies, to assert sovereignty over areas bordering China, some of which lie in Aksai Chin and Gilgit-Baltistan, which India claims as part of Ladakh.
The move follows a similar naming exercise in Arunachal Pradesh and aims to counter Chinese claims by standardizing Indian names on official maps.

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Why It Matters

India and China have a long-standing border dispute, particularly in Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh. The 2020 Galwan Valley clash heightened tensions, with both sides accusing each other of transgressions. India has consistently rejected Chinese claims and maps that rename Indian territories. This naming initiative is part of India's broader strategy to assert administrative and symbolic control over disputed regions.

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The list also has Alisha Giri; Brangsa; Chapchingal Pass; Kanishka Peak; Karun Pir mountain; Kuksel; Martand Giri; Parpik Glacier; Skamri Glacier; Shachmirik Pass; Shkorga Valley; Zorawar Peak; Dehra Compass; and Drak Karpo.

NEW DELHI: In what is intended to remove any ambiguity or misplaced perception regarding certain land areas, peaks, mountains, passes, glaciers and water bodies in Ladakh, including those bordering China, being an integral part of India, the government has, in consultation with the UT, identified 28 places and features in Ladakh by standard names on the official map of the Survey of India. Among the 28 are places in Aksai Chin and Gilgit-Baltistan in POK, which India treats as part of Ladakh. "Identifying them formally... is aimed at facilitating their accurate recognition and better awareness among the people at large," the home ministry said Friday.

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The move comes less than a couple of months after a similar step was taken with regard to 27 border areas and passes in Arunachal Pradesh. Among the 28 places in Ladakh identified are 10 peaks, three mountains, seven land areas, two glaciers, two passes, one river, one lake, one water body and one valley. The list includes Hot Spring and Gogra, which were friction points during the 2020 standoff between India and China. The list also has Alisha Giri; Brangsa; Chapchingal Pass; Kanishka Peak; Karun Pir mountain; Kuksel; Martand Giri; Parpik Glacier; Skamri Glacier; Shachmirik Pass; Shkorga Valley; Zorawar Peak; Dehra Compass; and Drak Karpo. Jolmori; Kumarayana Point; Panglung; Rinchen Zangpo; Sakyasri Giri; Guru Rinpoche; Shamal Lungpa (a patrol and staging route in the 1950s); Yangpa River; Marpa Lotsava Ri; Milarepa Kangri; Shiva Ri, and Maheshwara Ri have also been identified. China has repeatedly staked its claim on border areas in Ladakh and Arunachal, even calling locations in the latter by Chinese names. India has strongly rejected these claims.

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What to Watch

AI outlook — possibilities, not facts

China will issue a formal diplomatic protest against India's naming of geographical features in Ladakh, including areas it claims.
Very likely · Within days
The Survey of India will update its official maps to include the 28 newly named features within the next few weeks.
Likely · Within weeks

Open Questions

How will China respond to this latest naming initiative?
Will these names be recognized internationally or only used domestically?
Are there plans to update school curricula or official documents with these names?
Will India pursue similar naming exercises in other disputed border areas?

India formally names 28 Ladakh geographical features to assert sovereignty, including sites in Aksai Chin and Gilgit-Baltistan

Quick Look

The Indian government has officially named 28 geographical features in Ladakh, including peaks, glaciers, passes and water bodies, to assert sovereignty over areas bordering China, some of which lie in Aksai Chin and Gilgit-Baltistan, which India claims as part of Ladakh.
The move follows a similar naming exercise in Arunachal Pradesh and aims to counter Chinese claims by standardizing Indian names on official maps.

AI-generated summary

Why It Matters

Font size

Join conversation

Share your thoughts in the comments

Be respectful · TOI community guidelines

End of Article

What to Watch

AI outlook — possibilities, not facts

China will issue a formal diplomatic protest against India's naming of geographical features in Ladakh, including areas it claims.
Very likely · Within days
The Survey of India will update its official maps to include the 28 newly named features within the next few weeks.
Likely · Within weeks

Open Questions

How will China respond to this latest naming initiative?
Will these names be recognized internationally or only used domestically?
Are there plans to update school curricula or official documents with these names?
Will India pursue similar naming exercises in other disputed border areas?

India formally names 28 Ladakh geographical features to assert sovereignty, including sites in Aksai Chin and Gilgit-Baltistan

Quick Look

Why It Matters

What to Watch

Open Questions

Related Topics

India formally names 28 Ladakh geographical features to assert sovereignty, including sites in Aksai Chin and Gilgit-Baltistan

Quick Look

Why It Matters

What to Watch

Open Questions

Related Topics

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