India Firmly Rejects China-Pakistan Joint Statement on Jammu & Kashmir

India on Thursday rejected the references to Jammu and Kashmir in a joint statement by China and Pakistan. India emphasized that Jammu and Kashmir, along with Ladakh, are integral parts of its territory. The statement emerged following discussions between Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chinese Premier Li Qiang.

In a direct response to the latest joint statement by China and Pakistan, India on Thursday firmly dismissed any "unwarranted" references to Jammu and Kashmir. The Indian government reiterated its stance that the Union territory, along with Ladakh, has been, is, and will always remain an integral part of India.

The contentious joint statement was issued on June 7 following talks between Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Beijing. India criticised the mention of projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) within the statement, arguing that such references would only serve to reinforce or legitimise Pakistan's illegal occupation of the territories through which the CPEC passes.

According to External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, India's position is well-established, and no foreign nation has the right to comment on its internal matters. The spokesperson also highlighted that India's sovereignty and territorial integrity will not be compromised by external declarations.