Army chief reiterates Shaksgam Valley claim amid China’s CPEC defence
January 14, 2026: Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi on Tuesday reaffirmed India’s firm rejection of the 1963 Sino-Pakistan boundary agreement, under which China claims the strategically important Shaksgam Valley. Speaking at his annual press conference in New Delhi, the Army chief said India considers the agreement illegal and does not recognise any activities carried out under it. His remarks came amid renewed tensions after China defended infrastructure projects linked to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in the disputed region.
Gen. Dwivedi stated that India does not approve of any development or joint initiatives in the Shaksgam Valley and described the CPEC 2.0 joint statement by China and Pakistan as unlawful. Earlier in the day, Beijing had defended its projects in the area, asserting that the 1960s boundary agreement with Pakistan was legally valid and justified its ongoing construction and presence in the region.
India has consistently maintained that Pakistan had no authority to cede the territory, which New Delhi considers part of the erstwhile princely state of Jammu and Kashmir. The Ministry of External Affairs has reiterated that Shaksgam Valley remains Indian territory and warned that appropriate steps will be taken to safeguard national interests. Gen. Dwivedi also noted that while the broader northern border situation with China remains largely stable, continued vigilance, dialogue, and confidence-building measures are essential as core disputes remain unresolved.