China Claims Shaksgam Valley in Kashmir, Rejects India’s Sovereignty

China has officially claimed the Shaksgam Valley in Kashmir as its own territory, rejecting India’s sovereignty over the region. The announcement follows a long-standing border dispute between the two nations.

During a press briefing on Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated that the Shaksgam Valley is “entirely China’s territory” and any infrastructure development there is fully legitimate under Chinese jurisdiction. The remarks were in response to a question from the Press Trust of India regarding ongoing Chinese projects in the valley. Mao Ning directly denied India’s claims over the area, emphasizing Beijing’s stance that the valley falls within Chinese borders.

India has maintained that Shaksgam Valley, along with Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, is an integral part of its territory. The Indian Foreign Ministry reaffirmed that the 1963 China–Pakistan border agreement is neither recognized nor valid under Indian law, and that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) does not impact India’s territorial claims.
 

Analysts note that the statement marks a significant escalation in Sino-Indian tensions, following efforts in 2024 to reduce military friction along the Himalayan border. Previous clashes in 2020 resulted in casualties on both sides, and the renewed assertions over Arunachal Pradesh and Shaksgam Valley could further complicate diplomatic relations.

The dispute highlights ongoing strategic and geopolitical challenges in the region, with both nations maintaining firm positions on border sovereignty.