New Delhi, January 13, 2026: A fresh political controversy has erupted over China’s recent activity in the Shaksgam Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, with the Congress party sharply criticising the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for engaging with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) despite Beijing’s territorial claims. The issue comes amid renewed tensions over India’s northern borders and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) passing through disputed regions.

Congress Questions BJP’s Engagement With CCP

Congress leader Supriya Shrinate on Tuesday condemned the meeting between senior BJP officials and a delegation from the CCP in New Delhi. Highlighting national security concerns, she questioned how India’s ruling party could hold inter-party discussions while China allegedly asserts claims on Indian territory.

“China has claimed the Shaksgam Valley of Jammu and Kashmir as its own territory. For the past several days, construction has been underway in the name of CPEC. After Ladakh, how has China managed to intrude all the way here now?” Shrinate wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

She further criticised the optics of the BJP-CCP interaction: “This photo is of the BJP office. A meeting is taking place between BJP leaders and leaders of China’s Communist Party. China supported Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. Our brave soldiers were martyred in Galwan. China is sitting there after encroaching in Ladakh. It is settling villages in Arunachal Pradesh. And here, hugs are being exchanged.”

Shrinate termed the engagement “treason against the country” and questioned why the BJP had not been held accountable for meeting the CCP delegation while territorial disputes remain unresolved.

Background: India-China Dispute Over Shaksgam Valley

The Shaksgam Valley, part of the 5,200 sq km Shaksgam Tract north of the Karakoram watershed, has been a point of contention since Pakistan ceded the territory to China in 1963 through the China-Pakistan Boundary Agreement. India has never recognised this agreement, maintaining that the area forms part of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir and is under illegal occupation by Pakistan and now China.

Responding to China’s infrastructure development in the region last week, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reiterated its objections. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, “Shaksgam Valley is Indian territory. We have never recognised the so-called China-Pakistan Boundary Agreement signed in 1963. We have consistently maintained that the agreement is illegal and invalid. We also do not recognise the so-called China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which passes through Indian territory that is under forcible and illegal occupation of Pakistan.”

BJP Defends Inter-Party Dialogue

The BJP defended its engagement with the CCP, emphasising that the interaction was an intra-party dialogue rather than a governmental negotiation. Vijay Chauthaiwale, in charge of the party’s Foreign Affairs Department, clarified, “A delegation of the Communist Party of China under the leadership of HE Sun Haiyan, Vice Minister of the International Department of the Central Committee, visited the BJP head office today. Discussions were held on advancing inter-party communication between the BJP and the CPC. Chinese Ambassador to India HE Xu Feihong also joined the delegation.”

The BJP maintained that such engagements are part of regular inter-party diplomacy and do not reflect India’s official stance on territorial or diplomatic issues.

Historical Context of India-China Political Rows

The controversy has revived memories of past disputes between the two major political parties over India-China relations. In 2020, then-BJP national president JP Nadda had criticised the Congress for signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the CCP in 2008, alleging that the party had compromised India’s national interests. Nadda had also accused Congress leaders of covertly engaging with China during critical situations, including the Doklam standoff, and of undermining the morale of Indian armed forces.

Now, the political script appears reversed, with Congress questioning the BJP for what it calls a “mixed message” in the face of Chinese territorial claims, particularly in the sensitive northern region of Jammu and Kashmir.

Strategic and Security Concerns

The Shaksgam Valley borders Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan and is strategically significant, connecting the Karakoram range and forming part of the corridor for China’s CPEC projects. India’s objections to infrastructure development and Chinese presence in the valley highlight ongoing concerns over sovereignty, border management, and regional security.

The Congress’s criticism underscores a broader debate in India over the conduct of political parties vis-à-vis China, especially when inter-party diplomacy intersects with sensitive national security issues. Analysts note that such engagements, while often described as routine dialogue, can carry symbolic weight, particularly in the context of ongoing border disputes and military standoffs.

Political Fallout

With the BJP defending the meeting as intra-party engagement and Congress attacking it as a breach of national interest, the Shaksgam controversy is poised to intensify parliamentary debate and public scrutiny. Opposition leaders argue that engaging with the CCP while territorial disputes remain unresolved sends the wrong message to both China and domestic constituencies concerned about national security.

The issue is likely to feature in upcoming discussions in Parliament and political rallies, with both parties leveraging the optics of China-India relations for strategic advantage.

In summary, the Shaksgam Valley row has reignited political tensions in India, highlighting the delicate balance between diplomatic engagement, inter-party dialogue, and national security concerns. Congress has accused the BJP of being “audacious” in holding meetings with the CCP amid Chinese claims, while the BJP maintains that such dialogue is routine intra-party communication without implications for official policy.