The United Nations’ new world map has shown Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin as separate regions between the respective “claim lines” of India and China. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) took strong note of the depiction and reiterated that New Delhi’s position on its territorial sovereignty remains unchanged. India has also clarified that its support for a recent UN resolution on maps does not mean it has endorsed the new map or any specific territorial depiction.

The United Nations initially released the map on July 1, while discussions were underway on a UN General Assembly resolution to improve accuracy and equal area representation in maps. The General Assembly later adopted the African Union-backed “Correct the Map” resolution on September 4. India voted in favour of the resolution.

The new map, however, depicts Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin differently from India’s official position. Arunachal Pradesh is depicted as a separate state, with Assam and China on either side. The map also removes the boundary between Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland. Aksai Chin, which India maintains is part of Ladakh, has also been shown as a separate region.

The United Nations has not provided any explanation for these changes in the representation of Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin. The depiction has therefore raised questions on whether the map reflects any change in the UN’s position on the territorial claims of India and China.

India, meanwhile, has made it clear that its vote on the UN resolution should not be interpreted as an endorsement of the map. At a press briefing on Tuesday, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India supported the resolution for its focus on equal-area maps. He stressed that the resolution does not approve or endorse a specific map prepared by a private organisation or any particular entity.

“...we favoured the resolution and voted in favour of the resolution. When the resolution was adopted in the UN General Assembly, we also made a statement where we clarified our position...The resolution is focused on the principle of equal-area maps. It does not endorse any map of any private party or any particular entity,” he said.

Jaiswal further explained that the resolution seeks to give greater importance to maps that accurately represent the relative size of geographical features. “The resolution is focused on the principle of having, giving weightage or giving credence to equal-area maps, so that, as we have said, the equal-area maps project or preserve the relative sizes of continental landmarks."

The MEA had earlier said that India’s support for the resolution was based on the “underlying principle of promoting equal-area cartographic representation.” New Delhi highlighted that an equal-area map resolution should not change existing representation of national boundaries.

India has maintained a firm position on the depiction of its territory on international maps. The government has specifically stated that Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, both Union Territories of India, must appear according to the country’s official map. It has rejected any representation that it considers inaccurate or misleading.

"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," Jaiswal added in the statement.

The UN map also shows Jammu and Kashmir with a dotted line marking the Line of Control between India and Pakistan. A note on the map explains the marking and states that the “dotted line represents approximately the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir agreed upon by India and Pakistan. The final status of Jammu and Kashmir has not yet been agreed upon by the parties.”

The “Correct the Map” resolution backed by the African Union focuses primarily on improving geographical representation on maps. It calls for more accurate and fair representation of different regions of the world, with particular attention to Africa. The resolution promotes equal-area cartographic projections, which aim to preserve the relative sizes of continents and other geographical landmarks.

India’s support for the resolution came from this broader cartographic principle. The MEA has separated that support from the specific territorial markings appearing on the UN’s new map. New Delhi’s position clearly states that its sovereign territory must be represented according to its official maps.