J&K and Ladakh must be depicted as per India’s official map, says MEA on UN ‘Correct the Map’ resolution
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswa said in a statement that any “inaccurate” or “misleading” representation will be unacceptable.
STC NEWS MONITORING DESK
NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 06 (STC): India said on Sunday that a UN-initiated proposed world map must depict Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh in accordance with the country’s official map.
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswa said in a statement that any “inaccurate” or “misleading” representation will be unacceptable.
The ministry’s response came two days after it voted in favour of a UN General Assembly resolution aimed at correcting the world map to promote a more accurate representation of continental landmasses.
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.
“Its purpose is to encourage the use of equal-area map projections that preserve the relative sizes of continental landmasses. 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 MEA’s statement read.
Jaiswal said India highlighted that the resolution does not constitute endorsement of 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,” he said.
“We also highlighted that the resolution does not constitute endorsement of any specific map, projection or depiction of national boundaries,” 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.
“Our position on India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity is clear, consistent and non-negotiable,” he noted.
The resolution, sponsored by Togo, received 164 votes in favour, with abstentions from Estonia, Georgia, Lithuania, Moldova, Serbia and Ukraine, and a lone vote against from the United States.
General Assembly Adopts Text to ‘Correct the Map’
On September 4, the United Nations General Assembly took a major step towards “correcting distortions” in commonly used world maps, “particularly the Mercator projection, which are seen misrepresenting the relative size of continents and contribute to a diminished perception of Africa and other equatorial regions.”
Completing its substantive work for the eightieth session ending on 8 September, the Assembly adopted several draft resolutions and decisions.
(Straight Talk Communications I Inputs from Mint)
