China on Monday reiterated its territorial claims on the Shaksgam Valley, saying that the infrastructure projects undertaken by its government in the region were “beyond reproach”, PTI reported.
This came two days after New Delhi stated that it reserved the right to take necessary measures to safeguard its interests in the Shaksgam Valley. India’s Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on Friday that the region was Indian territory.
The Shaksgam Valley is a disputed territory historically part of Jammu and Kashmir, which Pakistan ceded to China in 1963. India has not recognised this agreement.
New Delhi has also repeatedly objected to the infrastructure projects undertaken by Beijing there.
On Friday, Jaiswal said that New Delhi has “never recognised the so-called China-Pakistan boundary agreement signed in 1963” and consistently maintained that the agreement was “illegal and invalid”.
“We do not recognise the so-called China-Pakistan Economic Corridor either, which passes through Indian territory that is under forcible and illegal occupation of Pakistan,” Jaiswal said.
He added that the entire Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh were an “integral and inalienable” part of India.
Noting that this had been “clearly conveyed” to Pakistani and the Chinese authorities several times, the spokesperson added: “We further reserve the right to take necessary measures to safeguard our interests.”
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is a major infrastructure…
Source: China reiterates claims on Shaksgam Valley after India’s criticism
