Beijing – China has strongly rejected India’s claims over the strategically important Shaksgam Valley in the Kashmir region, asserting that the territory rightfully belongs to Beijing and defending ongoing infrastructure projects in the area as fully legitimate.
At a regular press briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning dismissed New Delhi’s objections, stating that all construction and development in the Shaksgam Valley, which borders Xinjiang Province and Pakistan‑administered northern areas of Jammu and Kashmir, are conducted on Chinese sovereign territory. Mao emphasised that China’s activities, including connectivity projects related to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), are entirely justified and in accordance with historical agreements with Pakistan.
Mao highlighted that the 1963 China-Pakistan boundary agreement clarified the region’s borders and legitimised Beijing’s control over the valley. She said India’s protests are “unfounded” and stressed that the infrastructure works in the area are necessary for regional development and connectivity. “The territory you mentioned belongs to China,” Mao said firmly, reiterating Beijing’s longstanding position.
India, however, continues to reject China’s stance. The Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi reiterated that the Shaksgam Valley is part of India’s territory in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, and that India has never recognised the 1963 agreement between China and Pakistan. New Delhi has described the accord as illegal and maintains its right to assert control over its claimed lands.
The Shaksgam Valley, sparsely populated and located near strategically sensitive areas such as the Siachen Glacier, has remained a flashpoint in South Asian geopolitics for decades. While Pakistan and China have cooperated closely on border demarcation and infrastructure projects, India continues to insist that any transfer or development of the territory without its consent is invalid.
Experts say the latest statements from Beijing and New Delhi highlight the complex and unresolved nature of the Kashmir dispute, where historical agreements, strategic infrastructure, and competing sovereignty claims intersect. The renewed tension over Shaksgam underscores how infrastructure projects, border agreements, and diplomatic assertions continue to shape relations between China, India, and Pakistan.
As the geopolitical spotlight remains on the region, analysts warn that such disputes, though largely managed diplomatically, carry the potential to influence broader regional stability, security dynamics, and economic cooperation in South Asia.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.