J&K integral part of India: MEA

New Delhi, Jun 2: India on Tuesday rejected references to Jammu and Kashmir in a joint statement issued by Pakistan and the European Union, asserting that the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are integral parts of the country and that external parties have no role in matters concerning them.
Responding to media queries on the issue, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, said that India “categorically rejects” remarks relating to Jammu and Kashmir contained in the joint press communique issued following talks between Pakistan and the European Union. “We categorically reject such unwarranted references on matters internal to India,” Jaiswal said.
He reiterated that the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are an “integral and inalienable” part of India and said those with no locus standi on the issue should refrain from commenting on it.
The reaction came after a joint statement issued following discussions between Pakistan and European Union representatives referred to Jammu and Kashmir while calling for the peaceful resolution of conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy in line with the principles of the UN Charter.
According to the communique, the Pakistan side briefed the European Union on Jammu and Kashmir, while the EU side shared its views on the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
India has consistently maintained that Jammu and Kashmir is an internal matter and has opposed any third-party involvement in issues related to the region.
New Delhi’s position remains that the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, along with Ladakh, is an integral part of India, while areas under Pakistan’s control are part of Indian territory under illegal occupation.
The government has repeatedly stated that any outstanding issues with Pakistan can be addressed only through bilateral engagement and without third-party mediation. (KNO)