India Protests China's Construction Activities in Shaksgam Valley
India has lodged a strong protest with China over its construction activities in the Shaksgam Valley, which India considers part of its territory. The Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, stated that India views these activities as an attempt to illegally alter the situation on the ground and reserves the right to take necessary measures to protect its interests.
A Point of Contention
The Shaksgam Valley is located in the Hunza-Gilgit region of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). It borders China's Xinjiang Province to the north, PoK's northern areas to the west and south, and the Siachen Glacier region to the east. In 1963, Pakistan ceded the Shaksgam Valley to China as part of a border agreement.
Historical Context of the Dispute
The Shaksgam Valley remained under the control of the Mir of Hunza until 1936 when the British asked him to relinquish his rights to the Taghdumbash Pamirs and the Raskam Valley. Following India's independence and Jammu & Kashmir's accession in 1947, India inherited this territory. However, Pakistan compromised this border in its 1963 agreement with China.
China's Construction Activities and India's Concerns
China's construction activities in the Shaksgam Valley come amidst an ongoing border dispute between India and China in eastern Ladakh. This has raised concerns in India, which maintains that normal relations with China are contingent upon peace along the border. India views China's actions as an attempt to alter the status quo and strengthen its position in the region.
Conclusion
The Shaksgam Valley dispute is a complex issue with historical and geopolitical implications. India's protest against China's construction activities highlights the ongoing tensions between the two countries and the importance of resolving the border dispute peacefully.