Pakistan’s Asim Munir, Shehbaz Sharif left red-faced: US trade office shares map showing PoK, Aksai Chin as part of India

US releases India map including Kashmir and Aksai Chin amid trade deal, signaling support for India’s territorial claims.

As India and the United States unveiled the framework for an interim trade agreement on Saturday, one detail unexpectedly grabbed global attention, a map of India shared by the Trump administration. The map, released alongside the trade deal announcement, depicted the entire Jammu and Kashmir region, including Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK), as part of India. It also included Aksai Chin, a territory claimed by China.

While India’s sovereignty over these regions has never depended on US recognition, the map signals a notable shift in Washington’s approach, whether intentional or accidental, sending a strong message to Pakistan about US alignment with India’s territorial claims.

In previous years, official US maps often marked POK separately, aligning with Pakistan’s stance. The new map breaks from that precedent, presenting a unified Indian territory, effectively disregarding Pakistan’s claims.