UN adopts equal Earth Map resolution, India clarifies Kashmir position

The United Nations General Assembly has adopted a resolution promoting more accurate representations of the size of continents on world maps with 164 countries voting in favour, one against and six abstaining.

NEW YORK: The United Nations General Assembly has adopted a resolution promoting more accurate representations of the size of continents on world maps with 164 countries voting in favour, one against and six abstaining.

The resolution, titled “Correct the Map: Rebalancing Global Cartographic Representation and Promoting Equitable Representation of the World’s Regions, Particularly Africa,” was adopted on September 4. The initiative was led by Togo and supported by the African Union.

The resolution encourages the use of equal-area map projections, including the Equal Earth projection, which is designed to represent the relative size of continents more accurately than the widely used Mercator projection.

India voted in favour of the resolution. However, New Delhi subsequently clarified that its vote should not be interpreted as an endorsement of any particular map projection or depiction of national boundaries.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs said the country supported the underlying principle of promoting equal-area cartographic representation. It also stressed that Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh must be depicted according to India’s official map.

The clarification came amid discussion over how Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are represented in maps associated with the new cartographic approach. India maintained that any inaccurate or misleading depiction of its territory would be unacceptable.

The United Nations, meanwhile, has long used map disclaimers regarding Jammu and Kashmir. Its official materials state that the boundaries and names shown do not imply official endorsement or acceptance, while a dotted line represents approximately the Line of Control agreed upon by India and Pakistan. The UN also notes that the final status of Jammu and Kashmir has not been agreed upon by the parties.

The resolution primarily addresses the geographic representation of continents rather than determining the sovereignty of disputed territories. Nevertheless its adoption has renewed debate over the way Jammu and Kashmir and other disputed regions are depicted on international maps.

India’s subsequent explanation makes clear that while it supports greater accuracy in representing land areas, it does not consider the resolution a determination of territorial boundaries or sovereignty.