New UN World Map Depicts Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin as Separate Regions; India Backs 'Correct the Map' Resolution

Key facts

• The United Nations (UN) issued a new world map on July 1 that depicts Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin as separate regions between Indian and Chinese border claims.
• The map eliminates Arunachal Pradesh's border with Nagaland, projecting it as an independent state bordering Assam and China, and shows Aksai Chin as an independent region bordering India on the west and China on the east.
• The UN General Assembly adopted an African Union-backed resolution titled 'Correct the Map', championed by Togo on behalf of the African Group, calling for more accurate and equitable cartographic representation, particularly of Africa; India backed the resolution.
• India's Foreign Ministry said its vote was on the underlying principle of promoting equal-area cartographic representation and that the resolution does not constitute endorsement of any specific map or depiction of national boundaries.
• The map is non-binding but is understood to be adapted as the standard depiction of the world by multilateral institutions worldwide.
• The map shows a dotted line representing approximately the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, with UN footnotes stating the final status of Jammu and Kashmir has not been agreed upon by the parties.
• India maintains that Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, including Aksai Chin, and Arunachal Pradesh are integral and inalienable parts of Indian territory.