A US map depicting Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Aksai Chin as part of India has gone viral on social media, just as India and the US unveiled a landmark Interim Trade Agreement (ITA) framework.
The Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) shared the map Friday, showing the entire Jammu and Kashmir region—including disputed PoK and Aksai Chin—within India's borders. Unlike past US maps that used dotted lines for disputes, this one treats them as undisputed Indian territory. Social media erupted, with users hailing it as a diplomatic win amid rising India-US ties.
Why the US Map PoK Aksai Chin Matters Now
This comes at a pivotal time. India-US relations are strengthening post-2025 talks, with the ITA slashing US tariffs on Indian goods by 50% to 18% and lifting penalties on Russian oil buys. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal called it a gateway to America's $30 trillion market, benefiting MSMEs, farmers, and exporters in textiles, pharma, and gems.
The map's timing fuels speculation of a subtle US nod to India's stance, especially as Pakistan's PM Shehbaz Sharif this week reiterated Kashmir's centrality to its policy, demanding UN resolutions.
PoK Dispute: A 1947 Legacy
PoK stems from 1947 Partition. Maharaja Hari Singh acceded Jammu and Kashmir to India amid Pakistani tribal invasion, sparking the first Indo-Pak war. A 1949 UN ceasefire created the Line of Control (LoC), with Pakistan holding western parts—India's PoK. Post-2019 Article 370 abrogation, India reorganized it into Union Territories, rejecting plebiscite calls.
Aksai Chin: China Shadow in Ladakh
Aksai Chin, a 38,000 sq km Ladakh desert under Chinese control since 1962 war, links China's Xinjiang-Tibet via G219 highway. India claims it per Johnson Line; China follows its own boundaries. The Line of Actual Control (LAC) remains tense.
Trade Deal Wins for India
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Tariff Cuts: Zero duties on pharma, gems, aircraft parts.
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Market Access: Textiles, leather, chemicals get boosts.
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Big Commitment: India to buy $500B US goods in 5 years.
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Future Talks: Path to full Bilateral Trade Agreement.
Experts see the US map PoK Aksai Chin depiction as symbolic support. "It aligns with India's integral territory view," says strategic analyst Vishnu Jauhar. For Indians, it signals global backing amid trade triumphs.
This viral moment underscores why India-US trade deal progress matters—economic gains with geopolitical weight. Stay tuned for Comprehensive BTA updates.
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