India-Bhutan and India-Pakistan Boundaries: Key Issues and Disputed Areas
India-Bhutan Boundary
- This is a peaceful border with no boundary disputes between the two countries.
Indo-Pakistan Boundary
- The Indo-Pakistan boundary is the result of the partition of the country in 1947 under the Radcliffe award, chaired by Sir Cyril Radcliffe.
- Jammu and Kashmir, Sir Creek are the major disputed regions.
Disputed Territories
- Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, and Gilgit Baltistan:
- Pakistan is in the illegal and forcible occupation of approximately 78,000 sq. km of Indian Territory in Jammu and Kashmir.
- Under the so-called Sino-Pakistan Boundary Agreement of 1963, Pakistan illegally ceded 5,180 sq. km in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir to China.
- Siachen Glacier:
- The Siachen Glacier is located in the eastern Karakorams in the Himalayas just east of the Actual Ground Position Line between India and Pakistan.
- The entire Siachen Glacier, with all major passes, is currently under the administration of India since 1984 (Operation Meghdoot).
- Saltoro Ridge:
- The Saltoro Mountains are a subrange of the Karakoram Heights or Saltoro Ridge.
- They are located in the heart of the Karakoram, on the southwest side of the Siachen Glacier.
- They are claimed as part of Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory by India and as part of Gilgit-Baltistan by Pakistan.
- In 1984, India assumed military control of the main peaks and passes of the range, with Pakistani forces occupying the glacial valleys just to the west.
- Sir Creek:
- Sir Creek is a 96 km long strip of water disputed between India and Pakistan in the Rann of Kutch marshlands.
- Pakistan claims the line to follow the eastern shore of the estuary while India claims a centerline (differing interpretations of paragraphs 9 and 10 of the Bombay Government Resolution of 1914 signed between the then Government of Sindh and Rao Maharaj of Kutch).
- The International Boundary in the Sir Creek area and the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) between India and Pakistan have not been demarcated.
