evidence: The Gilgit Baltistan region makes up the majority of territory that is considered as Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Yet, there is little knowledge about the region even within India, whether through news reportage or scholarly research. While India has always considered this part of PoK as an integral part of Jammu and Kashmir, it has failed to raise its voice against the actions of the Pakistani state in the region, instead opting, intentionally or otherwise, for a defensive posture vis-à-vis the Kashmir that remains under its own governance. The growing footprint of China in Gilgit Baltistan in the past few years has added a new strategic dimension to India’s discourse on PoK, making it a compelling area of study.[1] [...] The coming to power of Narendra Modi in 2014, however, once again led to a shift in India’s strategy. The Modi government, while initially making overtures of peace to Pakistan, has since been more vocal and assertive of India’s sovereignty over PoK. In June 2015 the Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson, while responding to a media question on election in Gilgit Baltistan stated that "the entire state of Jammu and Kashmir which includes the region of Gilgit and Baltistan is an integral part of India."