US Stands With India: Official Map Includes PoK, Snubbing Pakistan
Washington rejects Pakistan territorial claims in latest official graphic
In a move that serves as a resounding diplomatic affirmation for New Delhi, the United States has officially recognized the territorial integrity of India through visual representation. During the release of the new trade deal framework, the US Trade Representative’s Office published an official India map that distinctly displays the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir as an inseparable part of India.
Crucially, this map includes the regions currently under illegal occupation by Pakistan, known as Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). This gesture by the world's leading superpower is being viewed as a direct rejection of Islamabad’s long-standing baseless territorial claims. It signals that the American administration fully aligns with India's geographical realities, ignoring the narrative pushed by its neighbour.
Diplomatic Setback for Pakistan
This development comes as a severe embarrassment for the Pakistani establishment. Despite recent efforts by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir to court favour in Washington, their lobbying seems to have hit a wall regarding the Kashmir issue. While the US maintains interests in Pakistan—primarily for rare earth minerals and military hardware sales—it has drawn a clear line regarding India's sovereignty.
The release of this map suggests that while Washington may engage with Islamabad for strategic necessities, it sees no alternative to India as its primary global partner. The diplomatic message is loud and clear: the US does not support Pakistan's fictional maps or narratives.
Trade Context
The map was released as part of a graphic detailing the new India-US trade framework. The visual highlighted India's decision to reduce tariffs on various American exports, including tree nuts, red sorghum, and fruits. In return, Washington has agreed to slash tariffs on Indian goods to 18 per cent, withdrawing additional duties.
However, beyond the economics, the geopolitical statement made by the map remains the biggest takeaway, cementing the bond between the two democracies.
