Washington Renames Indo-Pacific Command, Inaccurate India Map Draws Criticism

The United States has officially restored the name US Pacific Command (USPACOM), reversing a 2018 decision that had renamed the military formation as the US Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM). While Washington described the move as a return to the command's historic identity, the decision has also attracted attention in India due to the appearance of an inaccurate map on the command's website that depicts the country's borders incorrectly.

Announcing the change, the US Department of Defense said the restoration of the Pacific Command designation honours a military institution whose roots stretch back to 1947, when it was established by former US President Harry Truman . The Pentagon maintained that the change is largely symbolic and does not alter the command's mission, operational responsibilities, or strategic commitments across the region.

The command remains one of America's most significant military formations, overseeing a vast geographical area that extends from the western coast of the United States to India's western frontier. Over the decades, it has played a major role in several key military and humanitarian operations, including the Korean War , the Vietnam War , and numerous disaster relief missions across the Asia-Pacific region.

However, the renaming has been overshadowed by controversy surrounding an "area of responsibility" map displayed on the Pacific Command's website. The map excludes Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Aksai Chin from India's territory, a depiction that contradicts New Delhi's longstanding position that the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are integral and inalienable parts of India.

The issue quickly triggered political reactions. The Congress party criticised the Centre over the matter, with senior leader Pawan Khera questioning India's diplomatic standing and expressing concern over the map's representation of the country's borders. His remarks added a political dimension to what otherwise began as a military rebranding exercise in Washington.

The original 2018 decision to rename the command as the Indo-Pacific Command was taken during Donald Trump's first presidential term. At the time, then Defence Secretary James Mattis argued that the change reflected the growing strategic and economic interconnectedness between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean , while also recognising India's increasing importance in regional security architecture.

Now, under the leadership of Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth , Washington has chosen to revive the older Pacific Command identity. According to the Pentagon, the change is intended to celebrate the command's legacy and military heritage rather than signal any shift in US regional strategy.

Even so, the controversy surrounding the India map has ensured that what was intended as a symbolic restoration of history has instead become a subject of diplomatic and political scrutiny. As strategic ties between India and the United States continue to deepen, issues related to territorial representation remain highly sensitive and capable of drawing immediate attention on both sides.