India has lodged a strong protest against China for its ongoing construction activities in the Shaksgam valley, terming them illegal attempts to alter the ground situation.
Randhir Jaiswal, the spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), stated on Thursday that the Shaksgam valley is an integral part of India, rejecting the 1963 China-Pakistan boundary pact through which Pakistan sought to cede the area to China unlawfully.
“We have consistently conveyed our rejection of the same. We have registered our protest with the Chinese side against illegal attempts to alter facts on the ground,” Jaiswal said during his weekly media briefing.
Highlighting India’s stance on the matter, Jaiswal asserted, “The Shaksgam Valley is our territory. We have been protesting as and when required and we have always taken a very strong stand on it.”
The Shaksgam valley, strategically significant and located in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), has become a focal point amid the ongoing border tensions between India and China in eastern Ladakh.
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Regarding the border situation, Jaiswal mentioned that the next round of talks between India and China would occur “very soon” to address the matter comprehensively. He reiterated India’s commitment to maintaining peace and tranquillity along the border areas.
Despite some disengagement in certain areas following extensive diplomatic and military dialogues, Indian officials stress that ties with China cannot normalise until peace is restored in the border regions.
Earlier on April 28, during his visit to Ahmedabad to endorse BJP candidates in the Lok Sabha elections, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had stressed on the positive trajectory of India-China talks.
Singh highlighted India’s enhanced military capabilities and its commitment to fostering friendly relations with neighbouring nations.
“India is no longer the same weak entity; we have significantly bolstered our military strength. Our aim is to cultivate harmonious ties with our neighbouring countries,” Singh remarked, as reported by a national news agency.
