India on Thursday rejected “unwarranted references” to Jammu and Kashmir in a joint statement issued by China and Pakistan during Shehbaz Sharif’s recent visit to Beijing.
“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,” Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) 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. No other country has the locus standing to comment on the same,” Jaiswal added.
The MEA spokesman further highlighted that the joint statement also mentions activities and projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), stating that “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,” he stated.
China-Pakistan joint statement
Following talks between Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif and Chinese Premier Li Qiang, a joint statement was issued in Beijing on June 7.
In their joint statement, China and Pakistan had opposed any “unilateral action” for the resolution of all outstanding issues in South Asia. During the visit, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif briefed the Chinese leadership on the situation in Kashmir and discussed the close ties between their militaries.
The statement further added: “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 concluded.
(With inputs from agencies)
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