NEW DELHI: As New Delhi and Washington introduced the framework for an interim commerce settlement on Saturday, a map of India launched by the US commerce consultant’s (USTR) workplace drew consideration.The map, shared alongside particulars of the commerce deal framework, reveals the complete Jammu and Kashmir area – together with Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) – as a part of India. It additionally depicts Aksai Chin, a area claimed by China, inside Indian territory. China claims the territory and has objected to India’s place, a dispute that has remained a delicate subject in bilateral ties between New Delhi and Beijing.
In a put up on X US commerce consultant mentioned, “From tree nuts and dried distillers’ grains to purple sorghum and recent and processed fruit, the US-India Settlement will present new market entry for American merchandise.Whereas India has constantly maintained that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral a part of the nation and doesn’t require exterior validation of its sovereignty, the depiction marks a departure from earlier US authorities maps, which usually confirmed the opposite claims as part of the map.The timing of the map launch is notable, coming as India and the US are shifting to higher the commerce ties following months of hypothesis.Earlier this yr, the Trump administration imposed a 50% tariff on Indian items, together with a further 25% for Russian oil imports – the very best levied on a US ally – amid stalled commerce negotiations. Beneath the interim framework introduced, that tariff is ready to be diminished to 18%, one of many lowest amongst Asian nations.
Sign to Islamabad
Although the USTR didn’t touch upon the map, it comes as a humiliation for Pakistan, which claims PoK. The discharge additionally comes amid sustained diplomatic outreach by Pakistan to Washington in current months, together with a number of visits by Pakistan’s PM Shehbaz Sharif and military chief, Asim Munir, and conferences with President Trump.The interim commerce pact, anticipated to be signed by mid-March, is geared toward easing commerce tensions and offering reduction to Indian exporters after months of uncertainty.
