‘Integral and inalienable part of India’: MEA rebukes Pakistan, EU over Jammu and Kashmir reference in joint statement

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Tuesday categorically rejected “unwarranted” references in the joint press statement by Pakistan and the European Union on Jammu and Kashmir.

Taking strong exception to the language used regarding Jammu and Kashmir in the Pakistan-EU joint statement, MEA Official Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “We categorically reject such unwarranted references in the Joint Press Communique on matters internal to India.”

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He further asserted that the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are integral and inalienable parts of India, adding that both Pakistan and the EU have no locus standi to comment on India’s internal matters.

“Those who have no locus standi on such matters should desist from making any comment on them,” he said.

The MEA reaction came after the EU-Pakistan joint communique issued after European Commission Vice President Kaja Kallas’ visit made references to Jammu and Kashmir.

“The Pakistan side briefed on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir. The EU side briefed on Russia’s war against Ukraine. Both sides expressed support to peaceful resolution of conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy, in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter,” read the joint statement.

While Jammu and Kashmir has been an integral part of India since Independence, the statement sought to portray it as an international issue.

New Delhi’s stated position on Jammu and Kashmir has been that it remains Indian territory, including the part illegally occupied by Pakistan.

The talks on the Kashmir issue will not involve any third party. In recent years, the Modi government has on several occasions vowed to take back the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).