India-China dispute over Shaksgam Valley resurfaces as Beijing reasserts its claim over the strategically vital region in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), drawing a sharp response from New Delhi. India maintains that the nearly 5,000 sq km Shaksgam Valley was illegally ceded by Pakistan to China in 1963 and remains an integral part of Indian territory.

Shaksgam Valley — India-China Dispute Explained

The India–China dispute over Shaksgam Valley resurfaces when Beijing reasserts its claim over the strategically important region known as Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), drawing a sharp response from New Delhi. India insists that the nearly 5,000 sq km Shaksgam Valley was illegally handed over by Pakistan to China in 1963 and remains an integral part of Indian territory.

The rekindled discussion comes amid Chinese infrastructure developments under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and triggers a political debate in New Delhi over a recent meeting between leaders of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and India’s mainstay ruling party.

Why Shaksgam Valley Matters in the India-China Dilemma

The Shaksgam Valley, often referred to as the Trans-Karakoram Tract, lies north of the Siachen Glacier and close to the Aksai Chin region. India maintains that the land has historically belonged to it and argues that Pakistan was never legally entitled to transfer the territory to China through the 1963 Sino-Pak Boundary Agreement.

New Delhi has consistently rejected the agreement as null and void, citing constitutional rights and sovereignty over the territory. The valley’s proximity to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and its role in enabling connectivity between western China and PoK significantly heighten its strategic importance.

China’s Claims and India’s Strong Counter

China’s recent statement asserting ownership of Shaksgam Valley comes against the backdrop of India’s objections to infrastructure construction under CPEC that passes through PoK. Indian officials have reiterated that any third-country activity in the region violates India’s territorial integrity and international norms.

The Ministry of External Affairs has repeatedly stated that CPEC is “illegal” insofar as it crosses Indian territory under Pakistan’s occupation. Analysts note that Beijing’s response follows a familiar pattern of counter-claims following Indian diplomatic protests.

Infrastructure Push and Strategic Encirclement Concerns

China’s expanding infrastructure footprint in and around Shaksgam Valley — including roads, logistics nodes and ancillary facilities — has revived concerns of strategic encirclement. Security planners warn that deeper Sino-Pak coordination could exert pressure on Indian positions across the northern sector.

Although military and diplomatic talks continue between India and China to maintain stability along the LAC, New Delhi remains cautious about attempts to alter ground realities under the guise of economic development.

CPC Outreach Triggers Political Storm in Delhi

The border dispute has spilled into domestic politics following reports of a CPC delegation meeting leaders of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and senior government officials. The Indian National Congress has questioned the timing and optics of such political engagement when China is asserting territorial claims and developing new villages along contested stretches.

Congress leaders have argued that party-to-party interactions with the CPC could send mixed signals on national security, calling on the government to clearly disclose the agenda and outcomes of the meeting.

Government’s Stand: Diplomacy vs Politics

Government sources maintain that India’s engagement with China is conducted on a state-to-state basis and that diplomatic or informal interactions do not dilute New Delhi’s territorial claims. Officials also note that political parties worldwide maintain international outreach wings and engage in ideological exchanges.

Responding to the opposition’s criticism, the Bharatiya Janata Party has cited the 1963 agreement to argue that the current leadership has ceded no territory and has instead reinforced India’s position on sovereignty.

The 1963 Agreement and Its Aftermath

Shaksgam Valley was transferred to China under the 1963 Sino-Pak agreement, pending a final resolution of the Kashmir dispute — an arrangement India never accepted. The episode continues to shape India-China-Pakistan relations, particularly in the aftermath of the 1962 war and subsequent border negotiations.

While talks and confidence-building measures persist, these legacy disputes remain unresolved and periodically resurface as geopolitical and political dynamics evolve.

Border Talks Continue, Tensions Persist

India and China have held multiple rounds of military commander-level talks and diplomatic engagements to manage tensions along the LAC. While disengagement has occurred in some areas, trust deficits persist, especially as infrastructure development accelerates on both sides of the border.

For New Delhi, the principle remains unchanged: sovereignty is non-negotiable, and repeated assertions by Beijing do not alter India’s legal and constitutional position.

India-China Shaksgam Valley Dispute — The Way Ahead

The dispute over Shaksgam Valley underscores that the Himalayan boundary question remains far from settled. As China advances projects linked to CPEC, India continues to lodge firm objections while keeping diplomatic channels open.

In the months ahead, the challenge will be to prevent escalation through dialogue even as political contestation intensifies at home over how best to balance engagement with deterrence.

FAQs: India-China Dispute Over Shaksgam Valley

Q: What is the India-China dispute over Shaksgam Valley?
A: It concerns China’s claim over a 5,000 sq km area in PoK that India says was illegally ceded by Pakistan in 1963.

Q: Why does India oppose CPEC in Shaksgam Valley?
A: India argues CPEC passes through its sovereign territory under Pakistan’s occupation, making the project illegal.

Q: When was Shaksgam Valley transferred to China?
A: In 1963, through a boundary agreement between Pakistan and China that India rejects.

Q: Is Shaksgam Valley part of India constitutionally?
A: Yes, India maintains the area is an integral part of Jammu and Kashmir.

Q: Do India and China still hold border talks?
A: Yes, both sides continue military and diplomatic talks to manage tensions along the LAC.

References

🔗 Times of India — Shaksgam Valley row: ‘Entire PoK belongs to India,’ says Ladakh LG
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/shaksgam-valley-row-entire-pok-belongs-to-india-says-ladakh-lg-rejects-chinas-claim/articleshow/126504992.cms

🔗 Times of India — China rejects India’s objection, lays claim over J&K’s Shaksgam Valley
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/china/construction-fully-justified-china-rejects-indias-objection-lays-claim-over-jks-shaksgam-valley/articleshow/126496301.cms

🔗 Navbharat Times — शक्सगाम घाटी: पाकिस्तान का वो अवैध ‘तोहफा’
https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/india/shaksgam-valley-pakistan-illegal-gift-to-china-festering-wound-for-india/articleshow/126501998.cms

🔗 Navbharat Times — शक्सगाम घाटी भारतीय इलाका, सेना प्रमुख की दो टूक
https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/india/india-to-china-shaksgam-valley-indian-territory-never-recognized-china-pakistan-boundary-agreement-in-1963/articleshow/126505543.cms

🔗 Navbharat Times — शक्सगाम घाटी पर अब भिड़ेंगे भारत–चीन ?
https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/india/shaksgam-valley-will-india-china-clash-again-dispute-due-to-pakistan/articleshow/126499313.cms

🔗 Economic Times — China dismisses India’s objection to Shaksgam Valley construction
https://m.economictimes.com/news/india/china-reaffirms-its-territorial-claims-over-shaksgam-valley-after-indias-objections/articleshow/126487264.cms