Pakistan moves to integrate Gilgit-Baltistan into its territory

Pakistan moves to integrate Gilgit-Baltistan into its territory

What is the issue ?

India has strongly expressed its opposition to Pakistan's order to integrate the region of Gilgit­ Baltistan into the federal structure of the country.

Where does the region lie ?

Situated on the northwestern corner of Jammu and Kashmir, the region was erstwhile a part of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Why the sudden interest in the Gilgit Balitistan region which was previously ill-administered and neglected by Pakistan ?

Pakistan's role in the China Pakistan Economic Corridor has reignited Pakistan's interest in somehow claiming the region by hook or crook.
What is India's stand (and always has been India's stand) ?

India has always reiterted that the entire State of Jammu and Kashmir which also includes the so­ called ‘Gilgit Baltistan’ areas is an integral part of India by virtue of its accession in 1947.

Any action to alter the status of any part of the territory under forcible and illegal occupation of Pakistan has no legal basis whatsoever, and is completely unacceptable.

A brief history of Gilgit Baltistan :

In 1935, the British leased the territory of Gilgit Baltistan on account of its strategic location in the northern borders of India. While the administration of the region remained in the hands of a British officer stationed in Delhi, security in the region was made the responsibility of the Gilgit Scouts, also comprising the British.

Once India acquired independence in 1947, the British handed over the territory back to the Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir.

After partition, the princely states of the country were given a choice to join either India or Pakistan, Maharaja Hari Singh of Jammu and Kashmir acceded to India. And Gilgit Baltistan region being a part of Jammu and Kashmir is also considered to be part of India.

Soon after, the locals of Gilgit-Baltistan rebelled and hoisted the Pakistani flag declaring that Gilgit was joining Pakistan.

Soon after, the Pakistani army and tribals occupied the region and used it as a base to carry out attacks in nearby regions.

Ever since the region has been loosely administered by Pakistan without any legal basis nor moral standing.