Why in the news?

China has reasserted its cartographical claim over the Shaksgam Valley and defended its infrastructure activities there as legitimate. India has strongly rejected these claims, reiterating that Shaksgam Valley is Indian territory and that the 1963 China Pakistan agreement ceding the area is illegal and invalid.

About Shaksgam Valley (Trans Karakoram Tract)

• Location: High altitude valley north of the Karakoram range, bordering China’s Xinjiang region
• Political status: Part of Pakistan occupied Kashmir, specifically the Hunza Gilgit region
• Strategic proximity: Close to Siachen Glacier and Aksai Chin
• Area involved: About 5,180 sq km illegally ceded by Pakistan to China in 1963

Background of the dispute

• 1963 Sino Pakistan Border Agreement: Pakistan illegally transferred Shaksgam Valley to China. India never recognised this agreement
• Article 6 of the agreement: Clearly states the boundary settlement is temporary and subject to renegotiation after the final resolution of the Kashmir dispute
• India’s position: Pakistan had no sovereign right to cede Indian territory
  Hence the agreement is null and void

Prelims pointers

• Shaksgam Valley = Trans Karakoram Tract
• Illegally ceded by Pakistan to China in 1963
• India has never recognised the agreement
• CPEC passes through Indian territory under illegal occupation
• Article 6 of 1963 agreement weakens China Pakistan legal claim

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