India has launched a crackdown on maps that show Kashmir and other disputed territory as part of Pakistan or China, amid a series of controversies involving Twitter, Facebook and Google.

Tough new laws imposing fines of up to £10m and seven-year jail terms were drafted after maps and location services used by the web giants allotted territory claimed by India to its two fiercest rivals.

Land claims between India and its two neighbours have led to five wars, and remain a highly sensitive issue.

Any digital map of India will now need a licence marking approval from the Indian government, under the proposals.

“No person shall depict, disseminate, publish or distribute any wrong or false topographic information of India including international boundaries” the draft bill says.

The most recent controversy arose in February, when Twitter users trying to “geo-locate” their posts in Kashmir were asked to choose between Pakistan and China, but given no option for India.