At last, there is change in stance of America about Jammu and Kashmir and it is a good and soothing news for India.India has every reason to fell elated,happy and proud that America has toed the line of India sob far as its stand on Kashmir is c9oncerned.It is a matter of jubilation for India and at the same time is a big embarrassment for Pakistan whose friend and ally America has called a spade a spade and shown whole of Jammu and Kashmir including POK as the part of India in its map.This change in shift and stance is totally in tune with the long-standing position and stance of India.

Naturally India has every reason to feel pleased and be proud about the present shift in stance of US viz a viz Jammu and Kashmir.In the past, maps released by the US government or the state department typically marked Pakistan-occupied Kashmir separately.Contours of an interim trade deal between India and US may have been the headline on Saturday morning,but there was a single image that did a lot of talking -a map of India used by Donald Trump’s trade representative office on X.The map apparently showed the entire Jammu and Kashmir, including Pakistan -occupied Kashmir-POK, as part of India.
Thios is in line with India’s long -held stance on its territorial integrity.In the past, maps released by the US government or state department often marked POK separately, largely in line with Islamabad’s position.This time,however,breaking from that long-standing practice, the Trump administrations map made no such distinction.WhileIndia has consistently maintained that Jammu and Kashmir [and Ladakh]is an inalienable part of the country,and that its territorial cla9ims do not requirevalidation from any external power,the US move holds strategic value.It marks a clear and deliberate departure from earlier US representations.The map moves at a sensitive time in India-US relations,which have only now been reset, under President Donald Trump.Just months ago,Trump had imposed steep 50% tariff on Indian goods,the highest among Us allies, while the trade deal took almost a year.Under the interim agreement now in place,those tariffs have been slashed to 18%, one of the lowest rates in Asia.
The penalty tariffs in place over Russian oil imports have been removed.The map release also comes against the backdrop of Trump’s reported attempts to re-hyphenate India and Pakistan, a shift from the de-hyphenation policy initiated during the George W Bush administration and followed by successive US presidents.This approach has repeatedly been cited by the Opposition in India to criticise the government’s handling of foreign policy.Adding complexity is Trump’s repeated claim that he brokered a ceasefire between India and Pakistan during last year’s military action in May.These assertions have been firmly rejected by India’s MEA, which has maintained that all matters are addressed bilaterally. Last year,Trump went all out against India and claimed that it has a dead economy among other jibes.Beyond Pakistan,the map also showed Aksai Chin, which is located in northeastern Ladakh, as part of India.
China has long claimed the region, dismissing India’s objections.For years ,the MEA has objected to what it described as incorrect representations of India’s borders—particularly Jammu and Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh -in maps used by US and some international agencies.The latest map appears to address that concern directly.Defence analysts were quick to react.Retired army officer Major General Gaurav Arya, known for his aggressive views, posted on X ‘’Full marks [to US]For the Map, though well done.The timing could be awkward for Pakistan,especially as its diplomatic engagement with Washington has intensified over the past year.Pakistan’s military chiefAsim Munir, has visited the US multiple times during this period and met Trump twice, including a high -profile lunch in June.That also marked the first instance of a US president meeting Pakistan’s army chief without civilian leadership present.Going a step further, Islamabad officially nominated Trump for the Nobel peace Prize-an accolade the Republican leader appeared to be actively campaigning for.However,now Pakistan faces higher tariffs than India.
Under the revised structure,Indian goods will be taxed at 18%, compared to 19% for Pakistan.In fact, in a notable development linked to the interim India-US Trade deal framework, official US trade documents have shown the complete map of Jammu and Kashmir as part of India’s territory, echoing New Delhi’s long held position on the region.The development comes as the two sides advance tariff reductions, including cutting duties on Indian goods to 18% and work towards finalising a wider bilateral trade agreement, underscoring closer strategic and economic coordination between Washington and New Delhi.A day after the US slashed tariffs on Indian goods,the White House said India has agreed to stop buying Russian oiland increase crude imports from United States follow98ing talks between president Donald Trump and prime minister Narendra Modi.
Why does the imagery feel either of mock up attack of India by the US from all sides or that of climatic map from all sides. Interesting part is now USA started showing full official map of India.Finally, an actual backing of what is rightfully a part of India and shall always remain an integral part of India –Jammu &Kashmir and Leh-Ladakh [Shaksgam Valley and Akshai Chin. It has been noticed that there is a slight change in the map displayed by some European media outlets as well,while not showing it similarly there is a significant change.However some argue that by compromising agriculture and being a partner of a trade deal with US,India is slipping into US trap and it will be disadvantageous for India to distance from Russia which has remained the trusted friend of our country even at very difficult times and we should not lean towards western powers as it will be to our peril.it is also true that there is a many hidden details in this deal which we will never know because of national security but India needs US to grow .Believe it or not but it is a brutal fact .Look at the investment from US companies like Google,Meta,Amazon,we need technology .To counter China we need US .Russia is under the total control of China ,apart from some cheap oil Russia will not us anything because they don’t have anything but still we should maintain a steady relationship with Russia and the most important thing that non-alignment era is gone ,we have to choose side sometimes.To, cut a long story short ,it can be said that the showing full J&K as part of Indian territory but the million dollar question is that US should stick to this position about Jammu and Kashmir because US is very cunning so for as geopolitics ,international relations and diplomacy are concerned.Minus this,it is a good initiative of US to have shown the correct map of India.Be it as it may,India has every reason to be happy and feel elated on this latest development of US.

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