NEW DELHI: India strongly criticized and protested the inclusion of Arunachal Pradesh and parts of eastern Ladakh on China's map. With the G-20 summit scheduled to be held in Delhi on September 9 and 10, the map controversy has cast a shadow over the relationship between the two countries.

India responded to China's action in a harsh language. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that China's claim is absurd. He said that India has a definite stand on the border. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi responded that such measures will only complicate the issue between the two countries. China's provocation comes amid indications that Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the G-20 summit. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping had held a brief meeting at the BRICS summit in Johannesburg last week.

Rahul Gandhi criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi after China released a map that included India's land. Modi's claim that not an inch of land has been lost in Ladakh is a lie. Everyone in Ladakh knows that China has transgressed. This map issue is very serious. Rahul Gandhi asked Modi to speak on the issue of Chinese incursion.

Shashi Tharoor MP also demanded that India should take a strict stand against China. A stapled visa must be issued to those in Tibet. Should not approve Taiwan and Tibet as part of China. Tharoor said should not support any of China’s policy. Arunachal Congress MLA Ninong Ering has written to the Prime Minister demanding that the map issue be raised at the G20 summit.

Chinese provocation becoming a sequel

China released the map on Monday, including Arunachal Pradesh and Ladakh's Aksai Chin region within its borders. China says it is part of the National Mapping Awareness Publicity Week. In April, India had condemned China's attempt to rename 11 places in Arunachal Pradesh.