Shaksgam Valley and the 1963 Agreement
Context:
Chief of the Army Staff (General Upendra Dwivedi) recently reiterated India’s long-standing position regarding the Shaksgam Valley, stating that New Delhi considers the 1963 agreement between Pakistan and China to be illegal.
He emphasized that any activity in the valley is not approved by India.
About Shaksgam Valley:
It is also known as the Trans-Karakoram Tract
It is situated north of the Karakoram watershed.
It covers an area of approximately 5,180 sq km.
Historically it is deemed uninhabitable due to its remote location and harsh conditions
It is now seeing significant infrastructure development.
The 1963 Boundary Agreement:
Under this agreement, Pakistan ceded the Shaksgam Valley to China.
India has consistently rejected this agreement, maintaining that the territory is an integral part of the state of Jammu and Kashmir (now Ladakh) and was illegally ceded by Pakistan.
India also views the recent joint statement by China and Pakistan on CPEC 2.0 as an illegal action.
Current Developments:
Since mid-2017 (post-Doklam), China has been in a state of overdrive regarding infrastructure development in the region.
This activity became more brisk after 2021.
The area is witnessing the construction of habitats, including military habitations, aimed at establishing a permanent foothold.
Analysts suggest China's intent is to "solidify" this tract and tie down Indian military resources by opening up new options for conflict or pressure.