'Integral and inalienable part': India rejects China-Pakistan remarks on J&K; terms CPEC project illegal

NEW DELHI: Ministry of external affairs on Tuesday categorically rejected the "unwarranted references" to Jammu and Kashmir in the joint statement between China and Pakistan.

In a response to media queries, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh have been, are and will always remain integral and inalienable parts of India and no other country has the locus standi to comment on the issue.

"As regards the so-called China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects, some of which are in India's sovereign territory, we resolutely oppose and reject any moves by other countries to reinforce or legitimise Pakistan's illegal and forcible occupation of these territories, impinging on India's sovereignty and territorial integrity. This has been clearly conveyed to Pakistani and Chinese authorities several times," Jaiswal said.

"We have also seen references to the so-called 'trans-boundary water resources cooperation' between China and Pakistan. As the two countries do not share any boundary, the question of so-called 'trans-boundary water resources cooperation' does not arise. India has never recognized the so-called 1963 boundary agreement between Pakistan and China," he added.

The remarks came after a joint China-Pakistan statement described the Kashmir issue as “left over from history” and called for its resolution through peaceful means under the UN Security Council framework.

The statement followed high-level talks between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on May 25 during his four-day visit to China.

Issued by Pakistan’s foreign office, the statement said the Pakistani side briefed China on the “latest developments” in Jammu and Kashmir. China reiterated its longstanding position that the dispute should be “properly and peacefully resolved in accordance with the UN Charter, relevant UN Security Council resolutions and bilateral agreements”.

“Both sides reiterated opposition to any unilateral actions and reaffirmed the significance of maintaining peace and stability in South Asia, and resolving all outstanding disputes through dialogue and diplomacy. The Pakistani side briefed the Chinese side on the latest developments in 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,” the statement said.