Ladakh

Ladakh is a region in the eastern part of the North Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. It is also known as the “land of high passes”. Ladakh extends from the Siachen Glacier in the Karakoram range to the main Great Himalayas to the south and is inhabited by people of Indo-Aryan and Tibetan descent.

It is one of the most sparsely populated regions in Jammu and Kashmir (and that of entire India). The culture and history of Ladakh are closely related to Tibet and it is renowned for its remote mountain beauty and vibrant Buddhist culture.

Why is Ladakh in News?

Media outlets have reported that Chinese forces infiltrated the Demchok area of the Ladakh. However, the Indian Army Chief has denied the allegations and claims that they were locals who were celebrating the Dalai Lama’s birthday.

Why the dispute?

A significant part of Ladakh, the Aksai Chin is one of the disputed border areas between China and India. While it is currently administered by China as part of Hotan County, it is also claimed by India as a part of the Ladakh region of the state of Jammu and Kashmir. China and India fought a brief war over Aksai Chin and Arunachal Pradesh in 1962. However, in signed agreements in 1993 and 1996, the two countries have agreed to respect the Line of Actual Control.