India strongly rejected references to Jammu and Kashmir in a joint press statement issued after the eighth round of the EU-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue, saying those who do not have “legal standing” in the matter should avoid commenting on the country’s internal affairs.
The response came a day after a joint statement was issued following the dialogue between Pakistan and the European Union, which stated that briefing sessions related to Jammu and Kashmir had been held.
India regarding Kashmir signals during the meeting
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India completely rejects such references. This came during the weekly press conference held by the Ministry on Tuesday.
Reiterating New Delhi’s long-standing position, Jaiswal said that the union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are an integral and inalienable part of India. He added that individuals or organizations that have no role in the matter should refrain from commenting on issues that fall entirely within India’s internal affairs.
“We would like to say that we categorically reject such unwarranted references in the joint press statement on India’s internal matters. The union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are integral and inalienable parts of India. Those who have no authority on such matters should desist from making any comment on them,” he said.
The statement issued after Monday’s dialogue said that Pakistan briefed the EU delegation on Jammu and Kashmir, while the European side shared updates related to the conflict in Ukraine.
The press release stated, “The Pakistani side was briefed on the Jammu and Kashmir issue. The European side was briefed on Russia’s war against Ukraine.”
It comes after the rejection of references to Kashmir in the Pakistani-Chinese statement
Last month, India similarly rejected references to Jammu and Kashmir in a joint statement issued by Pakistan and China.
Responding to media questions about the references to Jammu and Kashmir in the joint statement between China and Pakistan, Jaiswal said India’s position has not changed and is well known to both countries.
He added, “India categorically rejects the unjustified references to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir in the joint statement between China and Pakistan. India’s position is consistent and well known to the parties concerned. The Union Territories of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh have always been and will remain integral and inalienable parts of India. No other country has standing right to comment on the same.”
He also said that India opposes attempts by any country to support or legitimize Pakistan’s control over territories associated with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which India views as a violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“With regard to the so-called China-Pakistan Economic Corridor projects, some of which are located in Indian sovereign territory, we strongly oppose and reject any moves by other countries to strengthen or legitimize Pakistan’s illegal and forced occupation of these territories, encroaching on India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Jaiswal said.
“This has been clearly communicated to the Pakistani and Chinese authorities several times,” he added.
His remarks came after the Pakistani Foreign Ministry issued a statement following talks between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, saying the Pakistani side briefed China on the “latest developments” related to Jammu and Kashmir.
(With inputs from agencies)
