On Tuesday, May 17, India categorically rejected the resolution passed by the National Assembly of Pakistan on the delimitation exercise in Jammu and Kashmir.
“We categorically reject the farcical resolution passed by the National Assembly of Pakistan on the subject of the delimitation exercise in the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir,” MEA spokesman Arindam Bagchi said in response to media queries.
He asserted that Pakistan has “no locus standi” to pronounce or interfere in matters that are internal to India, including the Indian territories under Pakistan’s illegal and forcible occupation.
“The entire territory of the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has been, is and shall always remain an integral part of India,” he said, adding, “The delimitation exercise in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir is a democratic exercise based on the principles of extensive stakeholder consultation and participation”.
The MEA spokesman maintained that it is regrettable that instead of putting their “own house in order, the leadership in Pakistan continues to interfere in India’s internal affairs” and engage in baseless and provocative anti-India propaganda.
“We reiterate that Pakistan must immediately cease anti-India cross-border terrorism and shut down its infrastructure of terrorism; stop the grave and persistent human rights violations in Pakistan occupied Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh (PoJKL); refrain from effecting any further material changes in the status of PoJKL.”
He said Pakistan must “vacate the Indian territories that are under its illegal and forcible occupation”.
India had on Monday categorically rejected the assertions made by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and said the OIC should refrain from carrying out its “communal agenda” vis-à-vis India at the behest of one country.
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