Centre Maps 28 Ladakh Sites, LAC Flashpoints Near China Border
The exercise follows a similar move in Arunachal Pradesh in August: Reports
NEW DELHI: In a move with strategic significance along the China border, the Centre on Friday formally identified and marked 28 places and geographical features in Ladakh on the official Survey of India map, including Gogra and Hot Spring, which figured among the friction areas during the military standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
The exercise follows a similar move in Arunachal Pradesh in August, when the Centre standardised the names of 27 places and geographical features on Survey of India maps.
“The Government of India, in consultation with the Union Territory of Ladakh, has identified a total of twenty-eight places/features, located in the UT of Ladakh, by standard place and feature names on the official map of Survey of India,” the Union home ministry said.
The ministry said formally identifying the places would facilitate their accurate recognition and create greater public awareness.
Besides Gogra and Hot Spring, the list includes Atisha Giri, Brangsa, Chapchingal Pass, Kanishka Peak, Karun Pir, Kuksel, Martand Giri, Parpik glacier, Skamri Glacier, Shachmirk Pass, Shkorga Valley, Zorawar Peak, Dehra Compass and Drak Karpo.
The other features are Jolmori, Kumarayana Point, Panglung, Rinchen Zangpo, Sakyasri Giri, Guru Rinpoche, Shamal Lungpa, Yangpa River, Marpa Lotsava Ri, Milarepa Kangri, Shiva Ri and Maheshvara Ri.
Gogra and Hot Springs were among the areas involved in the eastern Ladakh standoff that began in 2020. India and China disengaged from the Gogra area in August 2021 and from Gogra-Hot Springs, or Patrol Point 15, in September 2022.
The broader standoff began in April-May 2020 after tensions escalated along the LAC in eastern Ladakh. India and China subsequently held a series of diplomatic and military talks to disengage troops from friction points.
In August this year, the Centre, in consultation with the Arunachal Pradesh government, similarly identified and standardised the names of 27 places and features in the state on Survey of India maps.