Shaksgam Valley is our integral part, we do not accept any compromise: India sends strong message to China and Pakistan
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): India has lodged a strong protest after China and Pakistan announced the expansion of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). New Delhi said the proposed expansion, which includes areas of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and the Shaksgam Valley, is a direct violation of India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, during the weekly press briefing, stated that the Shaksgam Valley is an integral part of India. He reiterated that India has never accepted the so-called 1963 boundary agreement between China and Pakistan. According to him, Pakistan illegally handed over a large portion of Indian territory under its unlawful occupation to China, an action India does not recognise.
Jaiswal made it clear that India’s position has always been firm that the 1963 China-Pakistan agreement is illegal and invalid. He also said that India does not accept the so-called CPEC, as it passes through Indian territory under Pakistan’s illegal occupation. He reiterated that both Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, as Union Territories, are integral and inseparable parts of India, a message that has been conveyed to China and Pakistan on multiple occasions.
The spokesperson added that India has formally conveyed its objection to China against any attempt to change the status quo in the Shaksgam Valley. He said India reserves the right to take all necessary steps to safeguard its interests.
During the briefing, Jaiswal also urged all concerned parties to exercise restraint over Chinese military exercises around Taiwan. He said India is closely monitoring developments in the Indo-Pacific region, stressing that peace and stability are crucial for trade, economic interests, people-to-people contact, and maritime security.
It is noteworthy that China and Pakistan announced CPEC 2.0 on January 4, aiming to further strengthen economic and strategic cooperation. The proposed extension towards the Shaksgam region has raised concerns about increased Chinese and Pakistani strategic presence along India’s northern borders, potentially escalating military and diplomatic tensions over Siachen, Ladakh, and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Indian defence and security agencies view this initiative as a new challenge to India’s sovereignty. The government believes that the CPEC segment passing through Shaksgam represents a fresh violation of India’s territorial integrity.
Officials said the Indian Army is closely monitoring the Yarkand–Aghil–Shaksgam road being developed by China. This road is reportedly located about 30 to 50 kilometres from the northern access routes of the Siachen Glacier and the Saltoro Ridge.
In addition, open-source satellite analysis suggests that a new road has been constructed from China’s G219 highway towards the lower Shaksgam region. This road reportedly ends about 50 kilometres north of Indira Col, located at the northern tip of the Siachen Glacier. Indira Col has been under Indian control since April 1984.
India has sent a clear message that it will not accept any attempt to alter the status quo in Shaksgam Valley or any region linked to Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. Strategic experts believe that the issue could lead to further strain in India-China and India-Pakistan relations in the coming period.