The spokesperson for India's Ministry of External Affairs said it had lodged a "solemn protest" with China through diplomatic channels over the latter's establishment of two new counties in its claimed northwest territory of Hotan prefecture, as parts of the two counties are in India's claimed northern union territory of Ladakh, Hindustan Times reported on Jan. 3. The spokesperson also expressed concern over Beijing's recently approved plan to build a major hydropower dam upstream of the Brahmaputra River, calling on China to ensure the interests of downstream communities in India.