evidence: The major disputed territories are the Shaksgam valley and Aksai Chin (presently occupied by China), and an absurd and almost ‘fictional’ claim by China to a major part of Arunachal Pradesh. Besides these, there are four small pockets of disputed territory in areas such as Shipki La, Spiti, Barahoti and Lapthal, comprising 2,100sqkm. These are either passes on the Himalayan range or common pasturage on the Indian side. [...] The area from Lanak La to the Nepal border is thinly populated, unlike Aksai Chin. Hence there are records of trade between Tibet and Ladakh through well-known border passes like Shipki La, Mana, Niti and Taklakot which have been used for centuries by traders. Resolving the boundary issue in this sector, therefore, would not pose insurmountable problems and could be the first step of the boundary settlement.