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India and China held "constructive" and "forward-looking" talks on the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, noting that maintaining border peace and tranquillity enabled progress in the normalisation of overall relations. The two sides discussed various aspects of the border situation during a meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) in Beijing on Wednesday. "The discussions were constructive and forward looking," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, a day after the talks. India and China rolled out a series of measures in the last over one year to rebuild their relationship after it came under severe strain following the deadly Galwan Valley clashes in 2020 and the subsequent military face-off that lasted for over four years, "The two sides reviewed the situation in the India-China border areas. They expressed satisfaction with the progress made in maintaining peace and tranquillity in the border areas, which
Ladakh is set to take a significant step towards clean energy generation with Lt Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena approving the setting up of India's first geothermal power project by the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation at Puga valley in Ladakh, at an altitude of over 14,000 feet. LG approved a five-year extension of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation for the construction of the country's first geothermal power project, officials said. The project, to be developed at an altitude of over 14,000 feet in eastern Ladakh, aims to commercially harness geothermal energy as a sustainable alternative source of power, they said. The earlier tripartite MoU signed on February 6, 2021, between the Ladakh administration, the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Leh, and the ONGC energy centre expired on February 5, 2026. ONGC had sought an extension, citing delays caused by harsh weather conditions and difficult terrain, they said. Consideri
The Ladakh administration has decided to grant industry status to hotels and guest houses registered with the tourism department in a move aimed at strengthening the hospitality sector and boosting tourism-led economic growth, officials said. Lt Governor VK Saxena on Wednesday approved the grant of 'Industry' status to registered hotels and guest houses in the Union territory, they said. The decision, which will come into effect from June 1, 2026, is expected to provide a substantial fillip to tourism establishments through incentives, concessional utility tariffs and easier access to institutional finance, they said. Officials said hotels and guest houses would now be eligible for electricity and water tariffs at industrial rates, which are lower than the commercial rates which are currently applicable to such establishments. They would also qualify for concessional bank loans under various state and central government industrial policies besides exemption from property tax, they
In a significant move to uphold the regional identity of the residents of Ladakh, the Union Territory administration has successfully updated Aadhaar records to reflect "Ladakh" replacing "Jammu & Kashmir" in the State field, following the intervention of Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Vinai Kumar Saxena.Despite the formation of the Union Territory of Ladakh in 2019, after being carved out of Jammu and Kashmir, the Aadhar records of the people of Ladakh continued to reflect the erstwhile State name - J & K, instead of Ladakh - causing widespread concerns and hassles.According to a press release, the LG, taking a serious note of the prolonged pendency in this important matter, directed the UT Administration to resolve the issue at the earliest.Subsequently, the Administration took up the matter with the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) at higher levels.This long-awaited correction has now been successfully implemented, ensuring that Ladakh's distinct regional .
The Supreme Court on Monday disposed of a plea filed by Gitanjali J Angmo, wife of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, against the latter's detention under the National Security Act (NSA). A bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and PB Varale noted that the Centre revoked its order of Wangchuk's detention on March 14. The apex court said there was nothing left in the matter. Earlier, the top court had asked the Centre if there was any possibility for the government to relook at the detention of Wangchuk, considering his health condition. The Centre on March 14 said it had revoked with immediate effect the detention of Wangchuk under the NSA, nearly six months after he was arrested following violent protests in Leh that left four dead. Wangchuk was detained on September 26, 2025, two days after the protests over demands for statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution rocked Leh. More than 45 people, including 22 policemen, were injured in the protests.
Ladakh Lt Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Saturday welcomed the central government's revocation of the detention of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk under the National Security Act, terming it a positive step for the region.All the same, Saxena said there is "no space for agitation" and violence in the Union territory, and suggested dialogue as a means to resolve the issues. The Centre on Saturday said it has revoked with immediate effect Wangchuk's detention, nearly six months after he was arrested following violent protests in Leh that left four dead. The same day, Wangchuk was released from Jodhpur jail, where he had been kept since the detention. Saxena termed the Centre's move a "positive step", according to a statement issued by the Lok Bhavan. "Ladakh has always been known for the patriotic spirit, nationalism, and peaceful nature of its people," he said. Saxena, who took oath as the fourth Lt Governor of the Union Territory of Ladakh on Friday, said all issues can be resolve
Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was released from Jodhpur central jail on Saturday after the Union government decided to revoke his detention with immediate effect. Wangchuk was detained on September 26 last year under the National Security Act (NSA) pursuant to an order issued by the Leh district magistrate. He has already undergone nearly half of the detention period stipulated under the Act. "He was released from jail at about 1.30 pm today following an order from the central government," Ratanada Police Station SHO Dinesh Lakhawat said. His wife, Geetanjali Angmo, was here to complete the formalities. Wangchuk was detained on September 26, 2025, two days after protests over demands for statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution rocked Leh. More than 45 people, including 22 policemen, were injured in the protests. He was detained under the National Security Act (NSA) on the orders of the Leh district magistrate to "maintain public order
The Centre has decided to revoke the detention of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk with immediate effect by exercising the powers available under the National Security Act, an official statement said on Saturday. Wangchuk was detained on September 26, 2025, two days after violent protests over demands for statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution rocked Leh. He was detained under the National Security Act (NSA) on the orders of the district magistrate, Leh, to "maintain public order" and then transferred to Jodhpur prison. Wangchuk has already undergone nearly half of the period of detention under the NSA, the statement said. "The government has been actively engaging with various stakeholders and community leaders in Ladakh with a view to addressing the aspirations and concerns of the people of the region," it said.
The Supreme Court on Monday adjourned to February 26 the hearing on a plea filed by Gitanjali J Angmo, wife of jailed climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, against the latter's detention under the National Security Act. A bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and P B Varale deferred the matter as Solicitor General Tushar Mehta was not available. Earlier, the top court had asked the Centre if there was any possibility for the government to relook at the detention of Wangchuk, considering his health condition. Additional Solicitor General K M Nataraj had submitted that Wangchuk was responsible for violence in Leh on September 24 last year, in which four people died, and 161 were injured. The Centre and the Ladakh administration had told the apex court that Wangchuk was detained for instigating people in a border area where regional sensitivity was involved. Justifying Wangchuk's detention, Mehta had told the bench that all procedural safeguards were followed while ordering his detention under
Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta alleged on Saturday that Article 370 of the Constitution had turned into a tool for indulging in discrimination due to its misuse by the previous Jammu and Kashmir governments. Addressing a gathering on the outskirts of Jammu, Gupta also claimed that this misuse of the constitutional provision had led to the political, constitutional and emotional isolation of the Jammu and Ladakh regions from the rest of the country. He said Article 370, which was introduced as a temporary measure on October 17, 1949, was "exploited" instead of being used for the welfare of people. "Article 370 was misused by the previous Jammu and Kashmir governments. The provision, introduced as a temporary one, was exploited to politically, constitutionally and emotionally isolate the Jammu and Ladakh regions," the LG said, addressing the Shaheedi Diwas Smaran Samaroh and Kisan Health Mela. "Instead of serving the people, it became a tool for power, discrimination and .
A year of unrest and uncertainty brought Ladakh into the national spotlight, with rare violent protests in Leh over statehood and constitutional safeguards, the postponement of hill council elections, and tourism losses after the Pahalgam terror attack. As 2025 closes, communities look to 2026 with cautious hope for dialogue, inclusivity, and a revival of economic and cultural life under the leadership of Lt Governor Kavinder Gupta who took over in July, replacing Brigadier B D Mishra (retd). The residents of Ladakh described 2025 as a challenging year for the region, also marked by the detention of renowned climate activist Sonam Wangchuk under the National Security Act, now under review in the Supreme Court. Six years after the abrogation of special status to J&K under Article 370 which led to the creation of separate Union Territory for Ladakh in 2019, the defining political story of 2025 was the intensification of a mass movement jointly led by the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the .
The Himalayan Institute of Alternatives (HIAL), founded by Ladakh educator and activist Sonam Wangchuk, is doing "exemplary" work and should be granted recognition by the University Grants Commission, a Parliamentary panel has noted. In its report tabled in Parliament earlier this week, the committee headed by Congress MP Digvijaya Singh expressed its concern over pending recognition of HIAL by UGC. The panel also recommended that the Ministry of Education closely study the HIAL model and consider how it can be replicated elsewhere through Centres of Innovation in Education or other interventions. "During its study visit to Ladakh, the committee was impressed with the academic, research, and entrepreneurship ecosystem at the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, Ladakh (HIAL), especially its success in implementing experiential education and learning rooted in local socio-cultural and ecological contexts," said the report of the Standing Committee on Education, Women, Youth and ...
The Ladakh administration is contemplating the electrification of border posts in the Daulat Beg Oldie sector through grid connectivity in the Union Territory, officials said. Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO), located along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China, houses military outposts and the highest airstrip in the Ladakh region, manned by the Army and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). The Ladakh Power Development Department (LPDD) has presented proposals for the electrification of Army and ITBP border posts in the DBO sector through grid connectivity, officials said. This was revealed during a high-level meeting chaired by Prince Dhawan, Executive Director, Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme, to review power sector initiatives in the Union Territory of Ladakh. Dhawan appreciated the initiative, emphasising the strategic importance of providing a reliable and sustainable power supply to remote border areas, and directed concerned officials to expedite necessary approvals and .
Northern Army Commander, Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma, on Thursday witnessed 'Exercise AstraShakti' in the icy heights of the high-altitude areas of the Union Territory of Ladakh, officials said. The AstraShakti exercise is currently underway as a validation of long-range precision artillery firepower, swarm drones, counter-unmanned aerial surveillance systems, commando operations, and synergy with the ITBP in the icy expanse and high-altitude areas of Ladakh. "Lt Gen Pratik Sharma, Army Commander Northern Command, witnessed Exercise AstraShakti a thunderous validation of long-range precision artillery firepower, swarm drones, counter-UAS systems, commando ops, and synergy with the ITBP in the icy expanse and high-altitude areas of Ladakh, the Northern Command said in a post on X. The theatre-level integrated firing embodied seamless synergy, surveillance fusion, force preservation, and multi-domain dominance, it added. "It symbolised the readiness, innovation, and indomitable