The long-standing territorial dispute over the Shaksgam Valley has intensified significantly. This follows China's outright dismissal of India's strong objections to infrastructure development linked to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in the strategically sensitive region.
China's Firm Rejection and India's Counter
On January 12, 2026, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, articulated Beijing's position. She stated that the construction activities were being conducted on China's "own territory" and were therefore legitimate and beyond criticism. This statement was a direct response to India's diplomatic protests concerning the CPEC projects.
India responded with equal firmness, reiterating its consistent stance. New Delhi asserted that the Shaksgam Valley is part of Indian territory and is currently under illegal occupation. The Indian government warned that it would take all necessary steps to protect its sovereignty and national interests in the matter.
The Geopolitical Stakes and Historical Context
Beijing's justification relies heavily on the China-Pakistan boundary agreement of the 1960s, a pact India has never recognized. By framing the CPEC as a vital development and economic corridor, China aims to solidify its strategic footprint in a geography intrinsically linked to the broader Kashmir issue.
For India, the core of the dispute is not about opposing economic cooperation. The fundamental issue, as emphasized by officials, is one of sovereignty and territorial integrity. India views any attempt to alter the status quo in the region as a direct challenge to its claims.
Infrastructure as a Tool of Geopolitics
This latest episode underscores a growing global trend where infrastructure projects are being weaponized as geopolitical tools in contested zones. The development of roads, railways, and other assets in the Shaksgam Valley through CPEC is seen by analysts as a move to cement long-term strategic control, making any future resolution of the boundary issue more complex.
The exchange highlights the deep-seated tensions and the widening trust deficit between the two Asian giants. It signals that the Shaksgam Valley, a remote but strategically crucial area, will remain a persistent flashpoint in India-China relations, with Pakistan's involvement adding another layer of complexity to an already volatile situation.
