India’s Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi asserts that the 1963 agreement between Pakistan and China regarding Shaksgam Valley is illegal, reaffirming India’s territorial claims and rejecting ongoing projects in the region.
India
-Krishna Kripa
India’s
Army
Chief,
Gen
Upendra
Dwivedi,
stated
that
the
1963
agreement
between
Pakistan
and
China
regarding
Shaksgam
Valley
is
considered
illegal
by
India.
His
remarks
came
shortly
after
India’s
external
affairs
ministry
criticised
China’s
infrastructure
projects
in
the
region,
asserting
India’s
right
to
protect
its
interests
as
the
area
is
Indian
territory.
image
India’s
Army
Chief
Gen
Upendra
Dwivedi
asserts
that
the
1963
agreement
between
Pakistan
and
China
regarding
Shaksgam
Valley
is
illegal,
reaffirming
India’s
territorial
claims
and
rejecting
ongoing
projects
in
the
region.
India’s
Stance
on
Shaksgam
Valley
In
1963,
Pakistan
ceded
5,180
square
kilometres
of
Indian
land
in
Shaksgam
Valley
to
China.
Gen
Dwivedi
emphasised
India’s
disapproval
of
any
activities
in
the
valley.
He
reiterated
that
the
Ministry
of
External
Affairs
has
clearly
stated
this
position.
“We
don’t
approve
of
any
activity
in
the
valley,” he
said.
The
Army
Chief
also
mentioned
that
India
does
not
accept
the
joint
statement
issued
by
China
regarding
CPEC
2.0.
He
described
it
as
an
illegal
action
by
both
nations.
India
has
consistently
opposed
the
China-Pakistan
Economic
Corridor
(CPEC),
which
traverses
through
Pakistan-Occupied
Kashmir.
China’s
Response
and
India’s
Measures
Following
India’s
comments,
China
reaffirmed
its
territorial
claims
over
Shaksgam
Valley
on
Monday.
Beijing
maintained
that
its
infrastructure
projects
in
the
area
are
legitimate.
The
external
affairs
ministry
responded
by
stating,
“We
have
consistently
protested
with
the
Chinese
side
against
attempts
to
alter
the
ground
reality
in
Shaksgam
Valley.”
The
ministry
further
asserted
India’s
right
to
take
necessary
measures
to
safeguard
its
interests.
This
ongoing
dispute
highlights
the
tensions
between
India
and
China
over
territorial
claims
and
development
projects
in
contested
regions.
Situation
Along
the
Line
of
Actual
Control
Gen
Dwivedi
also
addressed
the
situation
along
the
Line
of
Actual
Control
(LAC)
with
China,
describing
it
as
stable
but
requiring
constant
vigilance.
He
noted
that
high-level
interactions
and
confidence-building
measures
are
gradually
normalising
conditions
along
the
northern
borders.
“Apex-level
interactions,
renewed
contact
and
confidence-building
measures
are
contributing
to
gradual
normalisation
of
the
situation,” he
said.
These
efforts
have
facilitated
activities
like
grazing
and
hydrotherapy
camps
along
the
LAC.
The
Army
Chief
highlighted
India’s
strategic
focus
on
maintaining
a
balanced
and
robust
deployment
along
the
LAC.
He
mentioned
that
capability
development
and
infrastructure
enhancement
are
progressing
through
a
comprehensive
government
approach.
India
remains
committed
to
safeguarding
its
territorial
integrity
while
addressing
challenges
posed
by
neighbouring
countries’
actions
in
disputed
areas.
The
government
continues
to
monitor
developments
closely
and
take
appropriate
measures
to
protect
national
interests.
With
inputs
from
PTI
