USTR Removes Map of India with Disputed Territories

The United States===United States Trade Representative (USTR) removed a social media post that featured a map of India depicting the entire region of Jammu and Kashmir, including Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), and the Aksai Chin region as part of Indian territory. This map was posted last week during the announcement of an interim bilateral trade agreement framework between the United States and India. The initial map had sparked speculation about a potential shift in US policy regarding these disputed territories, as traditional US government maps typically show demarcations for PoK and Aksai Chin. India consistently asserts that these regions are integral parts of its sovereign territory. The removal of the map, without an official policy statement, has led to fresh discussions on US positioning over border issues involving India, Pakistan, and China, despite the positive developments in US-India trade relations, including tariff reductions.