New Delhi, Delhi
India has voted in favor of a United Nations General Assembly resolution promoting the use of equal-area global map projections. However, India has made it clear that its support should not be interpreted as approval of any particular world map or map projection. The Ministry of External Affairs also reiterated India’s official position regarding Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
The Ministry of External Affairs said that the UN resolution does not adopt or endorse any specific world map. It also does not address political cartography issues, including international borders, disputed territories or the names of geographical locations.
In its explanation of the vote, India stated that its sovereign territory, including the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, must be depicted in accordance with India’s official map. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that any inaccurate or misleading depiction of Indian territory is unacceptable.
He reiterated that India’s position on its sovereignty and territorial integrity is clear and irreversible.
164 Countries Voted in Favor of the Resolution
On September 4, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution titled “Correct the Map – Rebalancing Global Map Representation and Promoting Equitable Representation of the World’s Regions, Particularly Africa.” The resolution received 164 votes in favor, while only one country voted against it.
The main objective of the resolution is to encourage the use of equal-area map projections. These projections represent the relative areas of different continents and regions more accurately.
India clarified that it supports this broader objective but that its vote should not be interpreted as endorsing any particular mapping system.
Indian diplomat Raghu Puri said India’s support was limited to the broader idea and increased use of equal-area map projections. He emphasized that it should not be understood as support for the Equal Earth projection or any other specific map system.
Thus, India has supported the broader objective of the UN resolution while simultaneously making its position clear regarding the use of India’s official map and the depiction of its sovereign territory.
