Trans-Karakoram Tract

Kashmir Region November 2019

Jammu and Kashmir in 1888 Survey of India map

Map India and Pakistan 1-250,000 Tile NI 43-4 Chulung

Shaksgam valley

Alignment Official Pakistan map 1962

7 15 BroadPeak

Trans-Karakoram Tract is a region of significant geopolitical and geographical importance located in the northern part of the Karakoram mountain range. The tract spans an area of approximately 5,800 square kilometers and is situated between the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan and the Xinjiang autonomous region of China. The area is known for its rugged terrain, high peaks, and strategic location, which has been the subject of territorial disputes between India, Pakistan, and China.

History

The history of the Trans-Karakoram Tract is closely tied to the broader Kashmir conflict and the complex colonial legacy of the region. After the partition of British India in 1947, the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir became a major point of contention. The Trans-Karakoram Tract was originally controlled by the princely state but was occupied by Chinese forces in the 1950s. In 1963, through the Sino-Pakistan Agreement, Pakistan ceded the tract to China, a move that India has never recognized, claiming that the territory legally belongs to it as part of the disputed state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Geography

The geography of the Trans-Karakoram Tract is dominated by the Karakoram mountain range, which includes some of the world's highest peaks, such as K2, the second-highest mountain on Earth. The region is characterized by its harsh climate, limited vegetation, and scarce human habitation. The tract is also home to several glaciers, including parts of the Siachen Glacier, which has been a flashpoint between India and Pakistan.

Strategic Importance

The strategic importance of the Trans-Karakoram Tract lies in its location at the crossroads of South and Central Asia, serving as a key link between Pakistan and China. The region is part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a major development project that aims to connect Gwadar Port in Pakistan's Balochistan province with China's Xinjiang region. The tract's strategic value is further enhanced by its proximity to the Wakhan Corridor of Afghanistan, creating a potential military and economic corridor between China and the Middle East.

Current Status

The current status of the Trans-Karakoram Tract is that of a region under Chinese administration, with Pakistan recognizing Chinese sovereignty over the area as per the 1963 agreement. However, the territory remains a subject of dispute in the context of the broader Kashmir conflict, with India continuing to claim it as part of its territory. The region's remote location and difficult terrain have limited its development, although recent initiatives under the CPEC framework may change this dynamic.

See Also

• Karakoram Highway
• Sino-Indian border dispute
• China-Pakistan relations
• Geopolitics of Asia