'Fully justified for China': Beijing reasserts claim over Shaksgam Valley after India’s objection

Beijing reasserts claim over Shaksgam Valley after India’s objection

China has reiterated its claim over the Shaksgam Valley in Jammu & Kashmir, asserting that the region belongs to China. On Monday, Beijing defended its ongoing infrastructure projects in the area, describing them as “beyond reproach,” amid strong objections from India over the territorial dispute.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said, “The territory you mentioned belongs to China. It’s fully justified for China to conduct infrastructure construction on its own territory.”

She added that China and Pakistan signed a boundary agreement in the 1960s to demarcate their borders, describing the settlement as an exercise of the rights of two sovereign states.

This follows India’s strong response on Friday, condemning China’s infrastructural activities in the region. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, “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.”

Jaiswal also reiterated India’s position on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), stating, “We also do not recognise the so-called China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which passes through Indian territory that is under forcible and illegal occupation of Pakistan.”

He further underlined India’s sovereignty, saying, “The entire Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh are an integral and inalienable part of India. This has been clearly conveyed to Pakistani and Chinese authorities several times.”

The MEA said India has consistently protested with the Chinese side against attempts to alter the ground reality in the Shaksgam Valley. “We further reserve the right to take necessary measures to safeguard our interests," Jaiswal said.

India’s response followed reports that China is actively constructing a long “all-weather road” in Shaksgam, located north of Siachen, a strategically crucial area for Indian forces.