On the eve of the 78th Army Day, Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi reaffirmed India’s firm stance on the Shaksgam Valley, rejecting recent Chinese claims over the strategically sensitive region. Speaking at his customary press conference on Tuesday, Dwivedi underscored that India does not recognize the China-Pakistan Boundary Agreement of 1963, under which Pakistan illegally ceded 5,180 sq km of Indian territory in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir to China.

China had earlier reaffirmed that Shaksgam Valley belongs to it and justified its ongoing infrastructure development in the area. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated that Beijing’s projects were “beyond reproach,” noting that the 1960s agreement with Pakistan delimited the boundary between the two countries and asserting China’s sovereign right to develop its territory.

Dwivedi, however, firmly rejected these claims. “We do not approve of any activity in Shaksgam Valley,” he said, reiterating that India considers the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which passes through Indian territory under Pakistani occupation, to be illegal. “We do not accept the statement issued in China on CPEC and consider it to be an illegal action carried out by the two nations,” he added.

The army chief also offered an update on the northern border situation, describing it as stable but requiring constant vigilance. Dwivedi highlighted that apex-level interactions and renewed confidence-building measures have contributed to gradual normalization along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). He noted that these measures have enabled grazing, hydrotherapy camps, and other civilian and defence-related activities in the border areas.

Regarding troop deployment, the army chief said India maintains a balanced and robust posture. Capability development and infrastructure enhancement continue through a whole-of-government approach, ensuring readiness while promoting trust and stability along the frontier.

Restoration of Forward Posts

Since 2024, the Indian Army resumed patrolling in Demchok and Depsang in eastern Ladakh, areas that had been inaccessible for over four years following the 2020 India-China standoff. This move restored the ground situation in these forward areas to pre-April 2020 levels. Previous disengagement talks, including the fourth and final round at Patrolling Point-15 in Gogra-Hot Springs in September 2022, had stalled, leaving negotiations deadlocked for two years. Since October 2024, both sides have worked closely to maintain peace and tranquility along the border.

Dwivedi explained that two specialized groups have been formed to manage border issues: an expert group focused on boundary delimitation and a working group addressing boundary management. Guidelines from these groups will inform future deployments and operational adjustments on the ground.

In June 2025, India had pushed for a permanent solution for border demarcation, urging structured engagement and a roadmap for de-escalation during discussions between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Chinese Defence Minister Admiral Dong Jun.

Cross-Border Terror Threats

Dwivedi also highlighted security developments along the Pakistan border. He noted that terrorist-initiated incidents have reduced sharply following Operation Sindoor, India’s calibrated military response to the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 people. However, he warned that eight terror camps remain active in Pakistan, with two across the international border and six across the Line of Control (LoC), housing approximately 100–150 individuals. The Indian Army continues to monitor the situation closely and has vowed to act decisively if Pakistan supports cross-border terrorism.

Operation Sindoor, launched in the early hours of May 7, 2025, targeted terror and military installations in Pakistan and PoK and concluded with a ceasefire on May 10. Dwivedi described the operation as highly precise, lasting 88 hours, which reset strategic assumptions by dismantling terror infrastructure and challenging long-standing nuclear threats from Pakistan. “It is an ongoing operation, and any future misadventures will be resolutely responded to,” he emphasized.

Strategic and Operational Outlook

General Dwivedi stressed that India remains prepared, vigilant, and strategically oriented across its northern and western borders. The army’s posture reflects a combination of capability development, infrastructure enhancement, and measured deployment, ensuring readiness while promoting stability. He also reiterated India’s non-recognition of China’s territorial claims over Shaksgam Valley and the illegality of CPEC projects traversing Indian territory.

On the northern front, Dwivedi noted that India-China relations have benefited from trust-building exercises, renewed interactions, and strategic communication channels, contributing to a calmer border environment. Meanwhile, the army continues to focus on robust operational planning, balanced force deployment, and whole-of-government coordination to address potential threats and uphold sovereignty.

India’s position remains clear and consistent: Shaksgam Valley is Indian territory, and infrastructure or economic projects by China and Pakistan in this region are illegal under international law. At the same time, India maintains a posture of strategic patience, ensuring both vigilance and readiness in response to any provocations along its borders.