India hit out at China and Pakistan for again referring to J&K in a joint statement, warning Beijing against legitimising Pakistan’s illegal occupation of Indian territory through the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) that passes through the Gilgit-Baltistan region in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK).
Not for the first time, the two countries brought up the J&K issue in a joint statement issued after Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to China during which both sides announced plans also to upgrade cooperation under CPEC. The govt reiterated in its response that the Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh “have been, are and will always be integral and inalienable parts of India”.
“We have noted unwarranted references to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir in the joint statement between China and Pakistan of June 7. 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,’’ MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, adding that no other country had the locus standi to comment on the same.
