India on Tuesday came down heavily on both Pakistan and the European Union over their recent joint statement in which a reference was made to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
In a sharp reaction, New Delhi categorically rejected the “unwarranted references” made in the joint press communique on matters internal to India, reasserting that the Union Territory is an integral and inalienable part of India.
India also told in no uncertain terms that neither Pakistan nor the EU has any locus standi on such matters, therefore, they should desist from making such remarks.
What EU and Pakistan said on J&K in their joint statement
The joint statement was issued during the Pakistan visit of Kaja Kallas, European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission.
“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.
Why it matters?
India views the issue of Kashmir as a strictly bilateral matter between New Delhi and Islamabad, with no role for any third party.
By mentioning Jammu and Kashmir in the same context as the Ukraine war and calling for a “peaceful resolution of conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy”, the statement appears to portray it as an international dispute.
New Delhi has already drawn a red line on this by rejecting any such characterisations, maintaining that Jammu and Kashmir is an internal matter and an inalienable part of India.
What is India’s stated position on the Kashmir issue?
After Independence from the British, following the partition of British India, the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir acceded to India through the Instrument of Accession signed by its ruler Maharaja Hari Singh.
However, the Pakistani Army and the country’s tribal militias invaded the region, triggering the first war over Jammu and Kashmir.
The conflict ended after a UN-brokered ceasefire, leaving Pakistan with a part of Indian territory.
Since then, Pakistan and India have fought several wars as both countries claim the territory in its entirety but control only parts of it.
Successive Indian governments have maintained that any third-party involvement will not be accepted and the issue, if discussed at all, must be resolved bilaterally.
This was also formalised by India and Pakistan in 1972 when they signed the Simla Agreement. As part of the pact, both countries agreed to settle the issue through bilateral negotiations.
However, the current Narendra Modi government has hardened its stance and said that any talks between India and Pakistan on the Kashmir issue would be only regarding the part illegally occupied by Pakistan.