India, Jan. 13 -- China has once again stirred diplomatic tensions with India by reiterating its controversial claim over the Shaksgam Valley in Jammu and Kashmir.

Beijing insisted that its infrastructure projects in the region are legitimate, dismissing New Delhi's objections as baseless.

The statement came shortly after India criticised Chinese construction activities in the valley, asserting that the territory rightfully belongs to India and warning that it reserves the right to protect its interests.

Situated north of the Karakoram mountain range, the high-altitude region lies close to the disputed Siachen Glacier and Aksai Chin areas.

Administratively, it forms part of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir's (PoK) Hunza-Gilgit region.

The d...