Warning to Pakistan? US releases map showing PoK and Aksai Chin as part of India amid trade pact

WASHINGTON: The US has shared a map showing Jammu and Kashmir as a complete part of India after releasing a joint statement on the India-US interim trade agreement. The map shared by the United States Trade Representative (USTR) on social media shows the entire Jammu and Kashmir region, including Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Aksai Chin, as part of India. The map shared as part of the official communication on the interim trade agreement shows Jammu and Kashmir, Aksai Chin in Ladakh, and Arunachal Pradesh as part of India.

The map previously released by the US State Department had clearly demarcated Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, addressing Pakistan's concerns. However, the new map of India shared by the Trump administration rejects Pakistan's claims. It is noteworthy that such a map comes amid long-standing disputes in the region and claims by neighbouring countries. This move by the US is being watched with great political significance.

Pakistan had apporved a new political map in 2020, claiming all of Jammu and Kashmir, parts of Ladakh, Sir Creek, and the former princely states of Junagadh and Manavadar in Gujarat as its territory. However, India had completely rejected Pakistan's claims, calling it political folly.

China has also repeatedly made claims over Indian territories. China's 2023 "standard map," released on August 28, officially incorporated India's Arunachal Pradesh (referred to as "South Tibet" or Zangnan) and the Aksai Chin region into its territory. India has consistently rejected these claims, stating they are illegal, invalid, and do not alter the ground realities.