India Registers Strong Protest Against China's Illegal Construction Activities in Shaksgam Valley
Background and India's Protest
India has lodged a strong protest with China against its illegal construction activities in the Shaksgam Valley or Trans Karakoram Tract, which is near the Siachen Glacier. The Indian government views this as an unauthorized attempt by China to change facts on the ground in a disputed territory.
Randhir Jaiswal, Spokesperson for India's External Affairs Ministry, stated that India considers the Shaksgam Valley part of its territory and has never accepted the so-called China-Pakistan Boundary Agreement of 1963. This agreement was an attempt by Pakistan to illegally cede the region to China.
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| India registers strong protest against China for illegal construction activities in 'Shaksgam Valley' of Karakoram |
The Shaksgam Valley and Its Disputed Status
The Shaksgam Valley, also known as the Trans Karakoram Tract, is part of the Hunza-Gilgit region of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). It is a disputed territory claimed by India, with historical and strategic significance. The valley is bordered by China's Xinjiang province to the north, the northern areas of PoK to the south and west, and the Siachen Glacier region to the east.
In 1963, Pakistan handed over control of the Shaksgam Valley to China, an act that India has never recognized. The territory remains a contentious issue, with India asserting its claim over the region while China and Pakistan pursue construction and other activities that India considers illegal.
India's Stance on the Boundary Agreement and Unauthorized Entries
India has consistently rejected the 1963 China-Pakistan Boundary Agreement, which ceded the Shaksgam Valley to China. The External Affairs Ministry emphasized that any attempts to change the facts regarding the region's status are not acceptable.
Unauthorized entries and border violations have been well documented across all three sectors of the 3,488-km border that India officially shares with China. India's strong protest against China's construction activities in the Shaksgam Valley reflects its commitment to maintaining its territorial claims and addressing illegal encroachments.
Conclusion
India's strong protest against China's illegal construction activities in the Shaksgam Valley underscores the ongoing disputes and territorial issues in the region. The Shaksgam Valley, or Trans Karakoram Tract, remains a critical point of contention between India and China, with India asserting its claims and opposing any unauthorized construction or boundary changes.
The protest by India's External Affairs Ministry sends a clear message that India will not tolerate attempts to alter the status of disputed territories without proper consultation and legal recognition. As tensions persist in the region, it is essential for the international community to support diplomatic efforts to resolve these disputes peacefully and uphold the principles of territorial sovereignty and integrity.
