US Removes Disputed Kashmir Map After Pakistan Diplomatic Protest

The US removes disputed Kashmir map from its official social media account after Pakistan raised a strong diplomatic protest over the depiction of contested territories as part of India. The map had appeared alongside an announcement related to a US-India trade framework, triggering concern in Islamabad.

The graphic, shared by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), showed the entire Jammu and Kashmir region — including Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan — within Indian boundaries. It also placed China’s Aksai Chin inside India despite the ongoing dispute over the area.

Pakistan quickly approached the US Embassy in Islamabad and State Department officials in Washington. Officials argued that the map contradicted Washington’s long-standing position that Jammu and Kashmir is a disputed territory whose final status should align with United Nations Security Council resolutions.

The post first appeared on Friday but was taken down by Monday, effectively ending the immediate controversy. However, US authorities have not publicly explained why the map was removed.

Officials familiar with the matter suggested the outline may have been sourced from Google Maps. Although the map did not label specific areas, Pakistani representatives stressed that even simple outlines issued by an official US body carry diplomatic weight, especially on sensitive geopolitical issues.

The situation gained attention after some Indian media outlets interpreted the graphic as evidence of a possible shift in US policy toward the region. This prompted Islamabad to reiterate Washington’s traditional neutral stance and prevent what it viewed as misinterpretation.

The disputed map accompanied a broader announcement outlining the first phase of a bilateral trade agreement designed to strengthen commerce between Washington and New Delhi.

Analysts noted that earlier US maps typically marked Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Aksai Chin as disputed areas. Therefore, the depiction sparked debate over whether it reflected a policy change or an oversight.

By removing the image, the US appeared to defuse diplomatic tensions without altering the trade announcement itself. Still, the episode highlights how official cartographic representations can influence international perceptions and relations, particularly regarding Kashmir — one of South Asia’s most sensitive territorial disputes.