Escalating tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), India has vehemently condemned China's attempts to incorporate the Shaksgam Valley into its territory.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, conveyed India's strong disapproval and lodged a formal protest with China.
"We consider Shaksgam Valley to be an integral part of India," Jaiswal asserted. He further denounced the 1963 China-Pakistan Boundary Agreement, terming it "illegal" and highlighting Pakistan's lack of authority to cede the area.
Jaiswal's remarks come amidst reports of China constructing roads near the strategically significant Aghil Pass, potentially bringing them within 48 kilometers of the Siachen Glacier.
Satellite imagery corroborates these reports, revealing ongoing construction activity on a Chinese road extending towards areas north of Siachen.
This incident reignites concerns about China's growing infrastructure development in the Shaksgam Valley.
In 2018, similar reports emerged regarding China building a 70-km metalled road within the valley.
This territory, spanning roughly 5,163 square kilometers, was ceded to China by Pakistan in the contentious 1963 agreement, a move India has consistently challenged.
The MEA spokesperson cautioned China against "illegal attempts to alter the status quo on the ground," reserving the right for India to take necessary measures to safeguard its territorial integrity. Jaiswal's statement underscores India's unwavering stance on the Shaksgam Valley issue.
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