‘Illegal and invalid’: India rejects China's infrastructure push in Shaksgam valley

India on Friday sharply criticised China’s infrastructure activities in the Shaksgam Valley, reiterating that the region is Indian territory and asserting New Delhi’s right to take “necessary measures” to safeguard its interests.

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India has never recognised the 1963 China-Pakistan boundary agreement under which Pakistan illegally ceded 5,180 sq. km. of Indian territory in the Shaksgam Valley to China.

“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,” Mr. Jaiswal said at the weekly media briefing.

He added that India does not recognise the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which passes through Indian territory under Pakistan’s “forcible and illegal occupation”.

“The entire Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are an integral and inalienable part of India. This position has been clearly conveyed to Pakistani and Chinese authorities on several occasions,” the spokesperson said.

Mr. Jaiswal said India has lodged consistent protests with China against any attempts to alter the status quo in the Shaksgam Valley. “We further reserve the right to take necessary measures to safeguard our interests,” he said.

On Chinese military exercises near Taiwan, Mr. Jaiswal said India was closely monitoring developments in the Indo-Pacific region, given its economic, maritime and people-to-people interests.

“We urge all concerned parties to exercise restraint, eschew unilateral action and resolve issues through peaceful means without the threat or use of force,” he said.

Responding to a query on the recognition of Somaliland, the spokesperson said India continues to underline the importance of Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, noting New Delhi’s longstanding ties with the country.

Somalia maintains that Somaliland remains an integral part of its territory. Israel last month recognised Somaliland as an independent nation, a move that has drawn concern from Somalia.