‘No country has locus standi to comment’: India on J&K reference in China-Pak joint statement

"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," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.

The Ministry of External Affairs’ spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “India rejects the baseless allegations made by Pakistan regarding Indian involvement with the incident in Khuzdar earlier today. India condoles the loss of lives in all such incidents.” (File Photo)

Days after China and Pakistan opposed “unilateral actions” to resolve outstanding issues, including Jammu and Kashmir, New Delhi on Thursday said it rejects “unwarranted references” to the Union Territory and asserted that India’s position on the issue is consistent and well known to the concerned parties.

In response to media queries on the China-Pakistan joint statement, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “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.”

He added that “no other country has the locus standi to comment on the same.”

He further stated that the joint statement also mentioned 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,” the MEA spokesperson said.

China and Pakistan had on June 8 opposed any “unilateral action” for the resolution of all outstanding issues in South Asia as the visiting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif briefed the Chinese leadership on the situation in Kashmir and discussed close ties enjoyed by their militaries.

A joint statement at the end of Sharif ‘s four-daytrip said, “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 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.

Story continues below this ad

India has previously rejected such joint statements by China and Pakistan.

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram