As India-US trade deal drops, US trade office shows PoK, Aksai Chin as Indian territory | Take a look

The map appeared in official US Trade Representative communication announcing the India–US interim trade framework, which cuts reciprocal tariffs to 18%.

• US map shows Jammu & Kashmir, Aksai Chin, Arunachal Pradesh as Indian territory
• India-US interim trade deal offers new market access for American exporters
• US tariffs on Indian goods cut to 18 percent, easing export barriers

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A map released by the United States Trade Representative alongside the announcement of the India–US Interim Trade Agreement framework has drawn attention for depicting the entire Jammu and Kashmir region, including Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Aksai Chin — as part of Indian territory.

The map, published in an official post by the United States Trade Representative, showed Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh’s Aksai Chin region, and Arunachal Pradesh within India’s territorial boundaries. It accompanied a social media post outlining the scope of the interim trade arrangement and its market-access gains for American exporters.

“From tree nuts and dried distillers’ grains to red sorghum and fresh and processed fruit, the US-India Agreement will provide new market access for American products,” the agency said, sharing the visual as part of its outreach on the deal.

From tree nuts and dried distillers’ grains to red sorghum and fresh and processed fruit, the U.S.-India Agreement will provide new market access for American products. pic.twitter.com/mqpP10LJp1

— United States Trade Representative (@USTradeRep) February 6, 2026

While no separate statement was issued on the map itself, the depiction stands out against the backdrop of long-running territorial disputes in the region and competing claims by India’s neighbours.

In 2020, Pakistan unveiled a revised political map claiming Jammu and Kashmir, parts of Ladakh, and even regions of Gujarat such as Junagadh and Sir Creek. India rejected the move outright, calling it “an exercise in political absurdity” and dismissing the claims as legally untenable.

China has also continued to assert claims over Indian territory. In August 2023, Beijing released an updated “standard map” portraying Arunachal Pradesh, which it refers to as South Tibet, and Aksai Chin as part of China. New Delhi has consistently rejected these assertions, maintaining that such cartographic exercises do not change facts on the ground.

The map release coincided with the formal unveiling of the India–US interim trade framework, announced after months of negotiations amid tariff tensions between the two sides.

Under the arrangement, reciprocal US tariffs on Indian goods will be reduced to 18 percent, offering relief to Indian exporters. Both governments said they would move quickly to operationalise the framework while continuing negotiations toward a full Bilateral Trade Agreement.

The United States will also examine India’s request for further tariff reductions during the BTA talks.

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, speaking after President Donald Trump announced the deal, said the agreement would dismantle tariff and non-tariff barriers and expand access to India’s market of more than 1.4 billion people.

“President Trump’s dealmaking is unlocking one of the world’s largest economies for American workers and producers,” Greer said, adding that the framework reflected deepening ties and new opportunities for businesses on both sides.

He also credited Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal for steering the talks and pushing what he described as a fair and balanced trade relationship between the two countries.