Did US snub Pakistan, China with ‘whole’ India map in X post on trade deal?

 While the focus was on the joint statement issued by India and the US announcing a framework for an interim trade agreement, a post shared by the United States Trade Representative on X has gone viral for an entirely different reason.

The post shared a map of India with the graphical representation of how the new India-US agreement will provide market access to American products. The post soon grabbed the attention of the netizens for the map, which showed the northern Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir as part of India, including the portion illegally occupied by Pakistan, or the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

The map also included Aksai Chin, which China claims to be part of its territory. It has always laid claim to the disputed land, despite India's objections.

India has always maintained that Kashmir is an integral part of the country. If deliberate, the sharing of the Indian map with entire Kashmir marks a departure from the US's earlier stance. The maps issued by the US and its State Department previously were drawn showing a clear and distinct boundary for the PoK region, a practice that acknowledged Pakistan's stance.

The MEA has repeatedly objected to the wrong depiction of India's borders – especially, Jammu and Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh – on maps used by the US State Department and other global agencies.

If deliberate, the map is a strong diplomatic signal to Pakistan and China that the US is in line with India's position on the matter.