USTR Deletes X Post On India-US Trade Framework Over Map Including PoK, Aksai Chin

The office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has deleted a social media post on X that featured a map of India showing the entire region of Jammu and Kashmir—including Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK)—and Aksai Chin as integral parts of Indian territory. The post, originally shared around February 7, 2026, accompanied an announcement regarding a bilateral interim trade agreement framework between the United States and India. This depiction marked a notable departure from longstanding U.S. practice, where maps typically marked PoK as disputed territory and showed Aksai Chin, claimed by China, separately or with demarcation lines reflecting competing claims.

The map's inclusion of PoK and Aksai Chin without any disputed status indicators aligned closely with India's official territorial claims, sparking immediate attention and speculation across diplomatic and media circles. PoK refers to areas administered by Pakistan in the Kashmir region, while Aksai Chin is a high-altitude desert area in northeastern Ladakh controlled by China but claimed by India. The U.S. government's previous maps had often used neutral or demarcated representations to avoid endorsing any single side in these long-standing territorial disputes involving India, Pakistan, and China.

By February 10 or 11, 2026, the post had been entirely removed from the USTR's official X account, with no explanation provided by the office. This action followed widespread discussion and reports of diplomatic reactions, including a strong protest from Pakistan conveyed through channels in Islamabad and Washington. Pakistani sources described the original map as contradicting the U.S.'s historical position that Jammu and Kashmir's status should be resolved per relevant United Nations resolutions.

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The incident occurred amid a broader reset in India-U.S. relations, including progress on trade cooperation under the current administration. The brief appearance of the map was interpreted by some observers as a potential strategic signal of closer alignment with India's position on territorial integrity, while others viewed it as a possible oversight. The deletion has fueled ongoing debate about whether it represented an intentional shift or a correction to maintain diplomatic balance in South Asia.

Neither the USTR nor the U.S. State Department has issued an official statement clarifying the reasons for the removal or reaffirming the U.S. stance on the disputed regions. The episode highlights the sensitivity of cartographic representations in international relations, particularly in contexts involving India, Pakistan, and China. As bilateral trade discussions continue between Washington and New Delhi, the matter underscores how visual elements in official communications can carry significant geopolitical implications.

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