Centre lodges protest with China over two new counties that include parts of India

"India has never accepted the illegal Chinese occupation of Indian territory in the area. We have seen the announcement pertaining to the establishment of two new counties in Hotan Prefecture of China. Parts of jurisdiction of these so-called counties fall in India's Union Territory of Ladakh," PTI quoted ministry of external affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal as saying.

After Beijing announced its plan to build a mega dam on Brahmaputra river in Tibet, New Delhi said it would continue to monitor and take necessary measures to protect its interests.

"We will continue to monitor and take necessary measures to protect our interests," the MEA spokesperson said.