China has once again raised tensions with India by repeating its claim over the Shaksgam Valley in Jammu and Kashmir. Beijing said its infrastructure work in the area is “beyond reproach,” days after India objected to Chinese construction activities there.

India has clearly stated that the Shaksgam Valley is its territory and said it reserves the right to take necessary steps to protect its interests.

Where is Shaksgam valley?

Shaksgam Valley, also known as the Trans Karakoram Tract, is a high-altitude region located north of the Karakoram range. It lies close to the disputed Siachen–Aksai Chin area and borders China’s Xinjiang region. The area falls under the Hunza-Gilgit region of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

India says the valley is part of Jammu and Kashmir and has always maintained its claim over the region.

In 1963, Pakistan illegally handed over 5,180 square kilometres of Indian territory in the Shaksgam Valley to China under the Sino-Pakistan Border Agreement. India has firmly rejected this agreement, calling it illegal and invalid, and has never recognised it.

Responding to India’s criticism, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said during a media briefing in Beijing that, “first of all, the territory you mentioned is part of China's territory.”

“China's infrastructure activities in its own territory are beyond reproach,” she added.

Mao also referred to the 1963 agreement between China and Pakistan, saying the two countries had settled their border decades ago.

“These are the rights of Pakistan and China as sovereign states,” she said.

Despite China’s claims, Article 6 of the 1963 agreement states that once the Kashmir dispute between India and Pakistan is resolved, the boundary issue would be reopened for fresh negotiations with the concerned sovereign authority.

India has repeatedly pointed to this clause to underline that the agreement cannot be final or legally valid.

India’s position was clearly stated by Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs.

“Shaksgam Valley is Indian territory. We have never recognised the so-called China-Pakistan 'boundary agreement' signed in 1963. We have consistently maintained that the agreement is illegal and invalid,” he said.

He also rejected the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), stating that it passes through Indian territory under Pakistan’s illegal occupation.

“We further reserve the right to take necessary measures to safeguard our interests,” he added.

China has reportedly begun building an all-weather road through the Shaksgam Valley, despite India’s objections. Reports say the construction activity increased after the 2017 Doklam standoff.

The new road is believed to be less than 49 km from the Siachen Glacier, the world’s highest battlefield. However, reports suggest it is unlikely to affect India’s defence positions in the area.

In 2021, the South China Morning Post reported that Pakistan was planning new overland border crossings with China. These routes were seen as a way to improve military coordination between the two countries in regions close to Ladakh and Kashmir.

India continues to maintain that Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are integral parts of the country, a position it has consistently conveyed to both China and Pakistan.