India, Feb. 8 -- The US has unequivocally indicated its growing ties with India when it released a map showing the entire Jammu and Kashmir region, including Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK) and Aksai Chin, as part of India. The United States Trade Representative (USTR) also depicted Aksai Chin as Indian Territory.

Both of these have direct implications for Pakistan and China, as the former always raises the Kashmir issue at various international forums, and the latter claims Aksai Chin as its territory. The map appeared in a graphic linked to the new India-US tariff deal, highlighting trade concessions and adjustments between the two countries.

The visual depiction of India's political boundaries, with the northern Union Territory of Ja...