Overview
- Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said the area in question belongs to China and called ongoing infrastructure work "fully justified."
- Beijing defended the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor as an economic initiative and said its stance on the Kashmir dispute remains unchanged.
- India’s external affairs ministry reiterated that the tract is Indian territory, rejected the 1963 China–Pakistan boundary agreement, and said it reserves the right to take necessary measures.
- Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi said India does not accept the 1963 agreement and does not approve of any activity in the area.
- Reports describe Pakistan ceding about 5,180 sq km to China in 1963 with a clause to revisit boundaries after a Kashmir settlement, and some outlets note unverified accounts of new road-building driving India’s objections.