Shaksgam Valley
Shaksgam Valley
Context
Shaksgam Valley emerged as a major diplomatic flashpoint after China reaffirmed its territorial claims and defended its large-scale infrastructure construction in the region. This followed a strong protest from India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on January 9, 2026, which asserted that the valley is an "integral and inalienable" part of India and that New Delhi reserves the right to take necessary measures to safeguard its interests.
About Shaksgam Valley
- What it is: Also known as the Trans-Karakoram Tract, it is a remote, high-altitude region spanning approximately 5,180 sq. km. It is characterized by rugged terrain and is drained by the Shaksgam River, a tributary of the Yarkand River.
- Location & Geography:
- Situated in the eastern Karakoram Range, north of the Siachen Glacier.
- Borders China’s Xinjiang region to the north and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) to the south and west.
- Strategically positioned near the Karakoram Pass, a historical gateway between South and Central Asia.
- Current Administration: Administered by China as part of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (Taxkorgan and Yecheng counties), but claimed in its entirety by India as part of the Union Territory of Ladakh.
Historical Evolution and Dispute
- Pre-1947: The valley was part of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir. Historical evidence, including Balti and Ladakhi place names, reflects its deep civilizational ties to the region.
- Pakistan’s Occupation: Following the 1947–48 conflict, the area came under the illegal occupation of Pakistan.
- The 1963 Sino-Pakistan Frontier Agreement:
- Signed on March 2, 1963, Pakistan illegally ceded the Shaksgam Valley to China.
- India's Stand: India has consistently rejected this agreement as "illegal and invalid," maintaining that Pakistan had no sovereign right to transfer Indian territory.
- Article 6 Provision: The agreement itself notes that the boundary is provisional and must be renegotiated after a final settlement of the Kashmir dispute.
Recent Developments
- Infrastructure Push: China has accelerated the construction of an all-weather road (approx. 75 km long and 10 meters wide) through the valley, crossing the 4,805-metre Aghil Pass.
- Proximity to Siachen: The new road reportedly reaches a location less than 50 km from India’s Indira Col (the northernmost point of the Siachen Glacier), heightening military surveillance concerns.
- Diplomatic Sparring: * India (Jan 2026): MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal and Army Chief Gen. Upendra Dwivedi reaffirmed that India does not recognize the 1963 pact or the CPEC 2.0 projects passing through the region.
- China (Jan 2026): Beijing dismissed India's objections as "groundless," stating that its construction activities on "its own territory" are beyond reproach.
Strategic Significance
|
Aspect |
Impact |
|
Two-Front Threat |
Enhances military connectivity between China and Pakistan, potentially allowing coordinated pressure on India's northern defenses. |
|
Siachen Security |
Provides China with a northern vantage point to monitor Indian troop movements on the Siachen Glacier. |
|
CPEC Expansion |
The valley serves as a critical link for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), bypasses maritime chokepoints, and consolidates China's footprint in PoK. |
|
Salami Slicing |
Analysts view the road construction as part of China’s incremental strategy to alter the ground reality and normalize its presence in disputed zones. |
Conclusion
The Shaksgam Valley dispute is no longer a "forgotten" border issue; it is a central pillar of the modern India-China strategic contest. As China entrenches its position through permanent infrastructure, the region has become a litmus test for India's ability to protect its territorial integrity in the high Himalayas. For India, maintaining a "constant vigil" while asserting legal and diplomatic rights remains the primary priority.