NewKerala.com

China Claims Shaksgam Valley, India Rejects "Illegal" CPEC Construction

China's Foreign Ministry has asserted that the Shaksgam Valley in Jammu and Kashmir belongs to China, justifying infrastructure construction there as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). India has firmly rejected these claims, stating the valley is an integral part of its territory and terming the 1963 China-Pakistan boundary agreement "illegal and invalid." Indian officials have consistently protested Chinese activities in the region, reserving the right to take necessary measures to safeguard its interests. The dispute highlights ongoing tensions over sovereignty and infrastructure projects in the strategically sensitive Kashmir region.

Key Points: China-India Row Over Shaksgam Valley & CPEC Infrastructure

  • China justifies infrastructure in Shaksgam Valley
  • India rejects 1963 boundary pact as illegal
  • CPEC project at center of territorial dispute
  • Both sides assert sovereign rights over the region
3 min read

China lays claim to Kashmir's Shaksgam Valley, says infrastructure construction justified

China asserts sovereignty over Kashmir's Shaksgam Valley, justifying CPEC construction. India rejects claims as illegal, reaffirming the territory as integral.

"Shaksgam Valley is an Indian territory. - Randhir Jaiswal"

Beijing, January 13

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning on Monday rejected India's claim to the Shaksgam Valley in Jammu and Kashmir.

"The territory you mentioned belongs to China. It's fully justified for China to conduct infrastructure construction on its own territory," Mao said when asked about border issues and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

The spokesperson further said that China and Pakistan had signed a boundary agreement in the 1960s and demarcated borders between the two countries and that the settlement was an exercise of the rights of two sovereign states.

According to a Global Times report, the Foreign Ministry Spokesperson further said the CPEC is an economic cooperation project intended to promote local economic and social development and improve people's livelihoods. Mao stressed that the border agreement between China and Pakistan, and the CPEC do not affect China's position on the Kashmir issue, adding that China's position on this matter has not changed.

The Shaksgam Valley, borders Xinjiang Provinceof the People's Republic of China (PRC) to the north, the Northern Areas of POJK to the south and west, and the Siachen Glacier region to the east.

Earlier on January 9, India firmly rejected China's infrastructure buildup through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in the Shaksgam Valley, terming it "illegal and invalid", while noting that the region is an "integral and inalienable part" of India.

During a weekly press briefing, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that India has never recognised the "so-called" China-Pakistan boundary agreement of 1963 or the "so-called" CPEC.

"Shaksgam Valley is an Indian territory. We have never recognised the so-called China-Pakistan boundary agreement of 1963. We have consistently maintained that the agreement is illegal and invalid. We do not recognise the so-called China-Pakistan Economic Corridor either, which passes through Indian territory, which is under forcible and illegal occupation of Pakistan," Jaiswal said.

He reaffirmed that the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are an integral and inalienable part of India, noting that New Delhi has "consistently protested" to the Chinese side on the matter and has further reserved the right to safeguard its interests.

"The entire UTs of J&K and Ladakh are an integral and inalienable part of India. This has been clearly conveyed to the Chinese and Pakistani authorities several times. We have consistently protested with the Chinese side for its attempts to alter the ground reality in the Shaksgam Valley. We further reserve the right to take necessary measures to safeguard our interests," the MEA Spokesperson added.

- ANI

Share this article:

Reader Comments

P
Priya S
The audacity! Building infrastructure on land that isn't yours and then claiming it's "fully justified." This CPEC project is a clear attempt to change facts on the ground. India must continue its diplomatic pressure and be prepared to back it up.
R
Rohit P
Strong statement by MEA. We've never accepted that 1963 agreement, so China's claims hold no water. It's worrying to see such aggression on our borders. Hope our leadership has a concrete plan beyond just protests.
S
Sarah B
Watching from abroad, this is a concerning escalation. The language from Beijing is very assertive. India's position is legally sound, but the challenge is immense. The international community should take note of such unilateral actions.
V
Vikram M
China says CPEC doesn't affect its position on Kashmir? That's pure doublespeak. How can you build a corridor through disputed territory and claim neutrality? This is a test of our national resolve. Jai Hind.
K
Karthik V
While I fully support India's territorial integrity, we also need to be pragmatic. Our economic and military capabilities need to match our diplomatic statements. Continuous infrastructure development on our side of the LAC is non-negotiable. Actions speak louder than words.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50