China's strategic move: New province near PoK sparks concerns amid CPEC, border disputes with India

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu) : Amid ongoing tensions and discussions between Iran and the United States, China has created a new province, Shenling, in its sensitive western Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, which borders Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Afghanistan.

This is China's third province to be created in this volatile region, located in southwestern Xinjiang near the Karakoram Range, since December 2024. The location of the new province is seen as a strategic move by China, raising concerns for India. Meanwhile, India's Ministry of External Affairs has issued a warning regarding the renaming of places.

According to a report in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the government of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region announced the creation of the new province on March 26. Although the exact administrative divisions and boundaries of Sanling have not yet been finalized, media reports claim that it will be under the administration of Kashgar city. Located on the old Silk Road, Kashgar city is an important gateway connecting China with South and Central Asia. It is of great importance to China as it is the starting point of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which is part of China's larger Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

India has opposed the $62 billion CPEC infrastructure project, arguing that it passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and violates Indian sovereignty. In just over a year, Henan, Hekang, and now a third province, Sanling, have been created in Xinjiang. Last year, India lodged a protest with China over the creation of Henan and Hekang within its jurisdiction within the Union Territory of Ladakh.

Hein covers most of the disputed Aksai Chin plateau, which is part of Ladakh. It was occupied by China in the 1962 war and remains a major bone of contention in the India-China border dispute. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal strongly criticized China's attempts to give fabricated names to places in Indian territory. The Ministry said these efforts could harm ongoing efforts to restore relations between the two neighbors.

The Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson said, "Such attempts by China to make false claims and fabricate baseless narratives cannot change the absolute truth that these places and territories, including Arunachal Pradesh, were, are, and will always remain an integral and inalienable part of India." He further said, "These actions by China impact the ongoing efforts to stabilize and normalize India-China relations. China should refrain from actions that bring negativity to the relationship and undermine efforts to build better understanding."