Show JK & Ladakh as per India’s official map; India tells UN

𝑵𝑬𝑾 𝑫𝑬𝑳𝑯𝑰, 𝑺𝒆𝒑𝒕 6:

India on Sunday said any UN-initiated world map must depict the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh in accordance with the country’s official map, making it clear that any “inaccurate” or “misleading” representation would be unacceptable.

New Delhi’s assertion came two days after India voted in favour of a UN General Assembly resolution aimed at promoting a more accurate representation of continental landmasses on world maps.

The resolution, titled “Correct the Map: Rebalancing Global Cartographic Representation and Promoting Equitable Representation of the World’s Regions, Particularly Africa,” was adopted on September 4.

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India had made it clear in its explanation of vote that supporting the resolution did not amount to endorsing any specific map, projection or depiction of national boundaries.

“India voted in favour of the resolution and also made an explanation of vote stressing on the underlying principle of promoting equal-area cartographic representation,” Jaiswal said while responding to a media query.

He said 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,” he said, adding that India’s position on its sovereignty and territorial integrity remains “clear, consistent and non-negotiable.”

Jaiswal said the UN resolution seeks to encourage the use of equal-area map projections that preserve the relative sizes of continental landmasses.

He clarified that the resolution neither adopts nor authenticates any particular world map, nor does it address political cartography, including international boundaries, disputed territories or place names.

The resolution, sponsored by Togo, received 164 votes in favour, while Estonia, Georgia, Lithuania, Moldova, Serbia and Ukraine abstained. The United States was the only country to vote against it.