A map shared by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) on X (formerly Twitter) that depicted Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Aksai Chin as part of India has been deleted after Pakistan formally raised objections with U.S. authorities. Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Tahir Andrabi, stated that the map was inaccurate and did not conform to the United Nations-recognized depiction of Jammu and Kashmir, which he described as a disputed territory.
The map was posted on X alongside details of a new trade framework between India and the United States. This depiction marked a departure from Washington’s earlier representations of the region, which typically showed PoK with distinct demarcation to reflect sensitivities linked to Pakistan’s claims. Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs conveyed its concerns to Washington soon after the graphic was posted. Following Pakistan’s protest, the USTR deleted the post without offering an official explanation. Pakistan expressed satisfaction that the U.S. side made the “requisite correction” by deleting the post, highlighting what it considers the legally UN-sanctioned map of the region. The episode has sparked debate over whether the map was an error or a signal amid shifting India-US ties.
