India Rejects China-Pakistan Statement on Kashmir and CPEC

India has issued a strong diplomatic rejection of a joint statement by China and Pakistan that included references to the region of Jammu and Kashmir. The statement was released following a recent visit to China by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

In an official response, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that India categorically rejects what it termed unwarranted references to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. He reiterated India's longstanding position that the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are integral and inalienable parts of the country. Jaiswal asserted that no other country has the locus standi, or right, to comment on the matter.

The joint statement from Beijing and Islamabad indicated that the Pakistani side had briefed China on the latest developments in Jammu and Kashmir. The Chinese side reportedly reiterated its view that the issue is a historical dispute that should be resolved peacefully in accordance with the UN Charter and relevant Security Council resolutions.

India also objected strongly to the statement's mention of projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a major infrastructure...