India has reacted strongly to the references to Jammu & Kashmir and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor in the joint press release of the third China-Pakistan Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue earlier this week. During the meeting between Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Wang Yi, the Chinese side stated that the Kashmir dispute should be resolved “peacefully and properly” through the UN Charter, relevant UNSC resolutions and bilateral pacts.
Addressing a press briefing, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi asserted that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which passes through Gilgit-Baltistan, an Indian territory illegally occupied by Pakistan. The MEA made it clear that an attempt by other countries to change the status quo in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is unacceptable.
Bagchi said, “As in the past, India categorically rejects any reference to Jammu and Kashmir in such joint statement, the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir and the union territory of Ladakh have been and will remain integral and inalienable parts of India. The joint press release, has also made a reference to the so-called China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. We have consistently conveyed to China and Pakistan that the so-called CPEC is in India’s territory, that has been illegally occupied by Pakistan, and that we resolutely oppose any attempts by other countries to change the status quo in areas illegally occupied by Pakistan, as also to Pakistan, bringing up any material change in Indian territories under its illegal occupation. We call upon parties concerned to seize such actions.”
