India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday strongly rejected what it termed as “unwarranted references” to Jammu and Kashmir in the joint statement issued by China and Pakistan following talks between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The MEA spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, asserted that Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are integral and inalienable parts of India, and no other country has any locus standi to comment on the matter.
India’s Firm Stance on Sovereignty
Jaiswal reiterated India’s consistent position that the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh have been, are, and will always remain an integral part of India. He emphasized that any external commentary on these regions is unwarranted and unacceptable. The spokesperson also voiced India’s strong opposition to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects being carried out in territories claimed by India, stating that such activities constitute a violation of India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
China-Pakistan Statement Sparks Controversy
The joint statement issued by Beijing and Islamabad described the Kashmir issue as a “leftover from history” and called for its peaceful resolution in accordance with the UN Security Council framework and bilateral agreements. This characterization drew immediate criticism from New Delhi, which views any mention of Kashmir as an internal matter. India has consistently maintained that the entire region of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh is under its sovereign control, and any reference to a dispute is baseless.
Background of the Dispute
The remarks came amid ongoing tensions between India and its neighbors over the Kashmir region. India has long opposed the CPEC, which passes through Pakistan-administered Kashmir, viewing it as an infringement on its territorial claims. The MEA’s strong response underscores India’s resolve to safeguard its territorial integrity and oppose any external interference in its internal affairs.
