FEBRUARY 9, 2022
NEW DELHI: The government hit out at China and Pakistan on Wednesday for referring to Jammu & Kashmir, and also the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), in a joint statement earlier this week, saying India expected the “parties concerned” not to interfere in matters that are internal affairs of India.
It also called upon the two countries to stop all activities on CPEC projects saying they were located on Indian territory illegally occupied by Pakistan. “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 February 6, 2022,” the spokesperson of the ministry of external affairs said. “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 & Kashmir in the joint statement. J&K and Ladakh have been, are and will always remain integral and inalienable parts of India,” he added.
As regards the reference to the “so-called CPEC”, said the official, India had consistently conveyed its concerns to China and Pakistan on the projects. 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,” he said.
According to the China-Pakistan joint statement, which was issued on Sunday following a meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Pakistan PM Imran Khan, the Pakistan side briefed the Chinese on the latest developments in J&K, including its concerns, position and pressing issues at the moment. China “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”.
Courtesy/Source: TOI
