The China and Pakistan joint statement said Kashmir was a dispute left from history

India has rejected reference to Jammu and Kashmir in the China-Pakistan joint statement, stating that the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and the Union Territory of Ladakh have been, are and will always remain integral and inalienable parts of India.

“We have always rejected such references and our position is well known to China and Pakistan. In this instance too, we reject reference to Jammu and Kashmir in the joint statement. The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and the Union Territory of Ladakh have been, are and will always remain integral and inalienable parts of India. We expect the parties concerned not to interfere in matters that are internal affairs of India,” Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said in response to media queries on Wednesday.

The joint statement issued by China and Pakistan on February 6 stated that “the Chinese side reiterated that the Kashmir issue was a dispute left from history, and should be properly and peacefully resolved based on the UN Charter, relevant Security Council resolutions and bilateral agreements. China opposes any unilateral actions that complicate the situation.”

Taking it as uncalled for interference in India’s internal affairs, the MEA Spokesperson said: "We have noted references to Jammu & Kashmir and the so-called China-Pakistan Economic Corridor in the joint statement between China and Pakistan issued on 06 February 2022.”

Hitting both China and Pakistan hard over the controversial China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, MEA Spokesperson Bagchi said: “We have consistently conveyed our concerns to China and Pakistan on the projects in the so-called CPEC, which are in India’s territory that has been illegally occupied by Pakistan. We resolutely oppose any attempts to change the status quo by other countries, as also by Pakistan, in the areas under the illegal occupation of Pakistan. We call upon the parties concerned to cease such activities.”