Hint for Islamabad New Delhi: As New Delhi and Washington announced the outline of an interim trade agreement on Saturday, a map of India released by the office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) caught attention. The map shared along with details of the trade agreement outline, shows the entire Jammu and Kashmir region – including Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) – as part of India.

It also depicts Aksai Chin, an area claimed by China within Indian territory. Of the map. The timing of the map’s release is notable as India and the US move toward improving trade ties after months of speculation.

Earlier this year, the Trump administration had imposed 50% tariffs on Indian goods, including an additional 25% for Russian oil imports – the highest duty imposed on a US ally – and is set to reduce the tariffs to 18%, one of the lowest among Asian countries, as announced under stalled trade talks. Aksai Chin is also shown in the map. Located in eastern Ladakh as part of India.

China claims the area and has objected to India’s position, the dispute remains a sensitive issue in bilateral relations between New Delhi and Beijing. Although USTR has not commented on the map, it comes as an embarrassment to Pakistan, which claims PoK.

The release comes amid continued diplomatic outreach by Pakistan to Washington in recent months, including multiple visits by Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir and meetings with President Trump. The agreement, expected to be signed by mid-March, aims to ease trade tensions and provide relief to Indian exporters after months of uncertainty.