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India firmly rejects 'unwarranted references' to Jammu and Kashmir in China-Pakistan joint statement

India firmly rejects 'unwarranted references' to Jammu and Kashmir in China-Pakistan joint statement

MEA Official Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal

India strongly denounced the "unwarranted references" to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir made in a joint statement by China and Pakistan stating that both J&K and Ladakh "will remain integral and inalienable parts" of the country.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in a statement firmly made it clear that no country possessed the authority to comment on the status of Jammu and Kashmir.

"We have noted unwarranted references to the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir in the joint statement between China and Pakistan of 07 June 2024. We categorically reject such references. Our position on the issue is consistent and well-known to the concerned parties. The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and the Union Territory of Ladakh have been, are and will always remain integral and inalienable parts of India. No other country has the locus standi to comment on the same," MEA Official Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in response to media queries on references to Jammu and Kashmir in the China-Pakistan Joint Statement.

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MEA's remarks came following a meeting between Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chinese President Xi Jinping in China where both the leaders also discussed the so-called China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which passes through India's sovereign territory in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK).

"The same joint statement also mentions activities and projects under the so-called China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), some of which are in India's sovereign territory under forcible and illegal occupation by Pakistan. We resolutely oppose and reject any moves by other countries to reinforce or legitimise Pakistan's illegal occupation of these territories, impinging on India's sovereignty and territorial integrity," Jaiswal's statement adds.

The joint statement was issued after Sharif concluded his four-day visit to China where Pakistan briefed the Chinese side on the latest developments of the situation in Jammu and Kashmir.

"Both sides underscore the importance of maintaining peace and stability in South Asia, the need for resolution of all outstanding disputes, and their opposition to any unilateral action," the joint statement read.

"The Pakistani side briefed the Chinese side on the latest developments of the situation in Jammu and Kashmir. The Chinese side reiterated that the Jammu and Kashmir dispute is left over from history, and should be properly and peacefully resolved in accordance with the UN Charter, relevant UN Security Council resolutions and bilateral agreements," it said.

(With inputs from agencies)