The development comes as Ladakh pushes for more autonomy without full statehood, through the proposed UT-level institution and wider Hill Council powers.

Launching India’s candidature at the UN headquarters, Jaishankar said the move comes at a time when the world is facing growing conflict and instability, making the role of the United Nations and the Security Council more critical than ever.

On February 25, IB officer Ankit Sharma returned home from work to find the situation outside highly volatile. As per eyewitness accounts and the police chargesheet, he stepped out to try and calm the crowd.